Bill Summary for Bill Number HB09-1349

Date: 04/29/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1349

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Adopt prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment B). Th Refer House Bill 09-1349, as amended, to the Commi	Pass Without Objection PASS

11:18 AM -- House Bill 09-1349

Senator Heath introduced House Bill 09-1349. The bill provides a special election period to certain individuals who were involuntarily terminated from employment between September 1, 2008, and February 16, 2009, to choose health insurance continuation coverage. The bill also extends by one day the eligibility period for enrollment in CoverColorado. Senator Heath distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment B).

11:19 AM -- Dayle Axman, representing the Division of Insurance, noted that the recent federal stimulus bill made several changes to laws for workers covered by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). She explained that House Bill 09-1349 allows employees of group health plans subject to state continuation laws to receive the same benefits as provided by the stimulus act, specifically the opportunity to choose continuation coverage during a special enrollment period, and to receive a subsidy towards the cost of the coverage. Ms. Axman responded to questions from Senator Lundberg regarding how the subsidy is funded.

11:24 AM -- Kelly Shanahan, representing the Colorado Consumer Health Institute, testified in support of the bill, stating that the bill levels the playing field for employers of all sizes. She stated that the bill will help families better weather the economic downturn. Ms. Axman returned to the table to respond to questions from Senator Schultheis regarding how long the subsidy will last.

11:29 AM -- Linda Meric, 9 to 5, testified in support of the bill. She stated that the bill will allow the state to utilize federal support during the economic crisis. She stated that the bill will provide support for unemployed workers and their families, and will also help the state's economy.


BILL:	HB09-1349
TIME:	11:31:01 AM
MOVED:	Boyd
MOTION:	Adopt prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Carroll M.
	Lundberg
	Mitchell
	Morse
	Newell
	Schultheis
	Tochtrop
	Boyd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1349
TIME:	11:32:33 AM
MOVED:	Boyd
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 09-1349, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 7-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Carroll M.	Yes
	Lundberg	Yes
	Mitchell	Yes
	Morse	Yes
	Newell	Yes
	Schultheis	No
	Tochtrop	Yes
	Boyd	Yes

Final YES: 7 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:33 AM

The committee recessed.