Date: 10/19/2009

Final
Public Testimony

HEALTH CARE TASK FORCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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11:08 AM -- Public Testimony

Janet Stephens, Colorado Hospital Association (CHA), spoke to previous testimony regarding ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). Ms. Stephens wanted to clarify that if an individuals needs more than 24 hours of care, it would be beneficial for the patient to go to a hospital rather than an ASC. She stated that it reduces the possibility of issues resulting from transferring a patient. Ms. Stephens spoke to Draft Bill 9 which addresses funding for CoverColorado by establishing a fee schedule with hospitals and health care providers. She stated that CHA supports the bill. Ms. Stephens also stated that CHA supports the two amendments which will be offered to the draft bill.

11:13 AM

Fran Coleman, Coleman Consulting, spoke to Draft Bill 6 which proposes to license home care placement agencies. Ms. Coleman described the bill to the committee. She asked the committee to support the bill. Ms. Coleman responded to Representative McCann's question regarding whether home care placement agencies' services may be reimbursed through insurance. Ms. Coleman responded to Senator Foster's question regarding whether home care placement agencies must carry worker's compensation insurance by stating that they do not. There was discussion among the committee members regarding whether Medicaid reimburses home care placement agencies' services. Ms. Coleman stated that other states reimburse home care placement agency services under Medicaid.

11:38 AM

Bill Dahlquist and Debbie Savage, National Private Duty Association, spoke in opposition to Draft Bill 6 which proposes to license home care placement agencies and Draft Bill 7 which proposes to license home care workers. Ms. Savage spoke to the licensure process of home care agencies which resulted with the passage of Senate Bill 08-153. Mr. Dahlquist stated that the two draft bills do not protect seniors. He stated that the licensure of home care placement agencies would give the appearance of protecting seniors, but in reality there is no enforcement mechanism in the draft bill that would hold home care placement agencies accountable. He stated that there is no way for a home care placement agency to control their independent contractors. He stated that it is not reasonable to allow seniors to believe that individuals coming into their home have been regulated and appear legitimate without any real enforcement mechanism.

11:47 AM

Mr. Dahlquist spoke to Representative McCann's question regarding reimbursement of home care placement agencies with private health insurance. He estimated that 5 percent of his clientele carry long-term care insurance policies. He stated that the argument to license home care placement agencies because of the lack of reimbursement is not necessarily accurate. He stated that the certification requirements to qualify for Medicaid reimbursement is quite high. He stated that most home care placement agencies would not meet these requirements and therefore would not be eligible for reimbursement under Medicaid. There was further discussion regarding regulation of home care placement agencies.

12:04 PM

The committee recessed.