Date: 01/12/2009

Final
Introductions

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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01:33 PM -- Introductions

Representative Riesberg provided introductory remarks to the committee. He pointed out that committee members were given a resource notebook provided by Legislative Council. He explained that the notebook contains five sections including a section for procedural and calendar information, a section where information from the departments can be kept, a section on Medicaid, a resource section with memos on health insurance and programs offered to low-income individuals, and lastly a section for lobbyist's contact information. Representative Riesberg outlined the guidelines to the committee and testimony requirements. He stated that the first week of committee would be used to have lobbyists and other interested parties introduce themselves to the committee.


01:43 PM -- Educator Groups

Dr. M. Roy Wilson, Chancellor, University of Colorado - Denver, representing Anschutz Medical Campus. Dr. Wilson provided a handout on the University of Colorado Hospital and Anshutz Medical Campus (Attachment A). He provided a brief summary of the mission of the hospital and campus. Dr. Wilson described some of the programs that the campus provides. Dr. Wilson mentioned his concerns regarding the financial situation facing Anshutz Medical Campus.

09HouseHHS0112AttachA.pdf


01:51 PM

Jeff Thompson, Government Relations, University of Colorado Hospital, spoke about the history of the University of Colorado Hospital. He described some of the members that sit on the board for the hospital. Mr. Thompson described some of the facilities that the University of Colorado Hospital operates.


01:57 PM

Jessica Dunbar, Research Analyst, Colorado Health Institute, provided information to the committee regarding the institute. She stated that the organization operates as a information clearinghouse, distributes data regarding healthcare on their website, and examines healthcare policies and trends. Ms. Dunbar mentioned several studies the organization has completed that may be a resource to the committee. Ms. Dunbar provided a handout to the committee regarding the Colorado Health Institute (Attachment B).

09HouseHHS0112AttachB.pdf


02:04 PM

Grant Jones, Chair of the Policy Committee, Colorado Health Foundation, provided background information on the foundation. He stated that the foundation has distributed $50 million to various nonprofit organizations that meet the foundation's mission. Mr. Jones provided a copy of the Colorado Healthcare Report Card, the Income, Education, and Obesity Report, and the foundation's contact information to the committee (Attachments C and D respectively). Shepard Nevel, Vice-President of Policy and Operations, and Lopez Meinhold, Senior Policy Officer, introduced themselves and offered their services to the committee.

09HouseHHS0112AttachC.pdf 09HouseHHS0112AttachD.pdf


02:09 PM -- Insurance/Business Groups

Helen Drexler, Director of Large Group Management, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, provided information to the committee on their organization. Ms. Drexler provided a handout to the committee regarding the private health insurance market and contact information for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (Attachments E and F respectively).

09HouseHHS0112AttachE.pdf 09HouseHHS0112AttachF.pdf


02:15 PM

Jerry McElroy, Government Relations, Susan Cox, Government Relations, and Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis, Kaiser Permanente, introduced themselves to the committee. Mr. McElroy provided a fact sheet to the committee and described the Kaiser Permanente network (Attachment G). Ms. Cox provided information to the committee regarding the pharmaceutical section of Kaiser. Dr. Allen-Davis spoke to the various specialties offered within the Kaiser Permanente network.

09HouseHHS0112AttachG.pdf


02:22 PM

Dale Curtis, Legislative Chair, and Todd Krapf, President, Colorado Group Insurance Association (CGIA), introduced themselves to the committee. He provided a one page informational sheet to the committee on CGIA (Attachment H).

09HouseHHS0112AttachH.pdf


02:24 PM

Steve Rubin, President, COPIC, introduced himself to the committee. He provided information regarding COPIC and it's mission to the committee. Mr. Ruben provided a fact sheet to the committee (Attachment I).

09HouseHHS0112AttachI.pdf


02:28 PM

Kate Paul, President, Delta Dental of Colorado, introduced herself to the committee. She stated that Delta Dental is the administrator of the dental program for the Children's Basic Health Plan (CHP+) in Colorado. She emphasized the need for dental care for children. She pointed out that the network for dentists in the CHP+ program was much greater than in the Medicaid program, meaning a great percentage of kids are seen through the CHP+ than the Medicaid program. She provided a fact sheet on Delta Dental to the committee (Attachment J).

09HouseHHS0112AttachJ.pdf


02:33 PM

Ben Price, Executive Director, Colorado Association of Health Plans (Colorado AHIP), introduced himself to the committee. He provided several handouts to the committee including a informational sheet on Colorado AHIP, "The Factors Fueling Rising Health Care Costs", and AHIP's Summary of Health Insurance Plan Regulation (Attachments K, L, and M). He stated that Colorado AHIP is the trade association of health insurance in Colorado.

09HouseHHS0112AttachK.pdf 09HouseHHS0112AttachL.pdf

09HouseHHS0112AttachM.pdf


02:38 PM

Michael Huotari, Vice-President of Legal and Government Affairs, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, provided information to the committee regarding Rocky Mountain Health Plans. Mr. Huotari provided a one page informational sheet to the committee on the organization (Attachment N). He stated that the organization is a community-based, not-for-profit health plan.

09HouseHHS0112AttachN.pdf


02:44 PM

Ralph Pollock, Director, Business Health Forum, introduced himself to the committee. He provided a handout describing the forum to the committee (Attachment O). He stated that the forum does not take a particular position on any bill, but tries to educate the business community on various issues surrounding healthcare. He stated that the organization's mission is to disseminate information to the business community regarding healthcare policy and encourage participation in the healthcare reform debate.

09HouseHHS0112AttachO.pdf


02:46 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


02:56 PM -- Issue Groups

Robert Semro, Policy Associate, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI), introduced himself to the committee and provided a one page informational sheet to the committee (Attachment P). Mr. Semro described the mission of CCHI and stated that the goal is to ensure greater access to quality healthcare in Colorado.

09HouseHHS0112AttachP.pdf


02:59 PM

Tara Trujillo, Healthy Families Director, Colorado Children's Campaign, introduced herself to the committee and provided a one page informational sheet to the committee (Attachment Q). She stated that the organization does not provide any direct services for children, but are a resource for various groups. Ms. Trujillo stated that the Colorado Children's Campaign is a non-profit child advocacy organization that focuses on K-12 education, early childhood, children's health and family supports.

09HouseHHS0112AttachQ.pdf


03:04 PM

Tara Trujillo, Healthy Families Director, and Deborah Colburn, Project Coordinator, All Kids Cover 2010, both provided information to the committee on the 2010 Initiative. Ms. Colburn reviewed several pieces of legislation that the coalition has successfully helped pass, including establishing a medical home for every child in Colorado and increasing eligibility for children to access health insurance. A handout was provided to the committee on the initiative. (Attachment R).

09HouseHHS0112AttachR.pdf


03:08 PM

Adoree Blair, Integrated Family Services, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Blair stated that she has been a foster parent for many years and also is a child advocate. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment S).

09HouseHHS0112AttachS.pdf


03:13 PM

Andi Leopoldus, introduced herself to the committee. She stated she has several clients including the ARC Plan, Easter Seals of Colorado, Goodwill Industries, the Chanda PLAN, the Colorado Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Shiloh House, Bridging the Gap at Mile-High United Way, and the Colorado Children's Alliance. She spoke to the defeat of Amendment 51, which would have increased the sales and use tax to serve individuals with developmental disabilities. She provided a handout to the committee on her clients (Attachment T).

09HouseHHS0112AttachT.pdf


03:15 PM

Aileen McGinley, Executive Director, Arc of Denver, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout to the committee and stated that the Arc is an advocacy organization for people with developmental disabilities (Attachment U).

09HouseHHS0112AttachU.pdf


03:18 PM

Joe Beaver, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, introduced himself. He stated that Julie Reiskin had another commitment and could not attend today. He provided information and a handout to the committee regarding the coalition (Attachment V).

09HouseHHS0112AttachV.pdf


03:24 PM

Chris Collins, Executive Director, Alliance, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout to the committee regarding Alliance's mission (Attachment W). Jeremy Schupbach, Legislative Liaison, spoke to the committee about the organizations priorities. He stated the number one priority is to end the waiting list for services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

09HouseHHS0112AttachW.pdf


03:28 PM

Deborah Colburn, Executive Director, Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved, provided a handout to the committee on the organization (Attachment X). Ms. Colburn also spoke about Oral Health Awareness Colorado! She provided another handout to the committee regarding this organization (Attachment Y).

09HouseHHS0112AttachX.pdf 09HouseHHS0112AttachY.pdf


03:34 PM

Terri Hurst, Policy Analyst, Colorado Rural Health Center, introduced herself to the committee. She provided information to the committee on the mission of the Rural Health Center. Ms. Hurst provided a handout describing the goals of the health center (Attachment Z).

09HouseHHS0112AttachZ.pdf


03:36 PM

Maureen Farrell-Stevenson, Colorado Center on Law and Policy - Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout regarding the organization to the committee (Attachment AA). Ms. Farrell-Stevenson pointed out a report called "The Self Sufficiency Standard in Colorado" which provides data on how much it costs to live in each of Colorado's 64 counties without any financial assistance. She pointed out that the report may be of interest to the members.

09HouseHHS0112AttachAA.pdf


03:44 PM

Stephen Kopanos, Vice President for Public Policy and Systems Advocacy, Mental Health America of Colorado, introduced himself to the committee and provided a handout (Attachment BB).

09HouseHHS0112AttachBB.pdf


03:45 PM

Women's Lobby, Jennifer Miles, introduced herself to the committee and provided a handout on the mission of the women's lobby to the committee (Attachment CC).

09HouseHHS0112AttachCC.pdf


03:47 PM

Cindy Sovine-Miller, Partnership for a Healthy Colorado, introduced herself and provided information about the partnership to the committee. Toni Gagliardi, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), introduced himself to the committee. He spoke to the partnerships members and its mission. A handout outlining the partnership's mission was provided (Attachment DD).

09HouseHHS0112AttachDD.pdf


03:51 PM

Pat Ratliff, Colorado Counties Inc., introduced herself to the committee. She provided her contact information to the committee (Attachment EE). She briefly spoke about her organization and the services it provides. She stated that counties administer several programs from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) to child welfare services. She also spoke to how the programs are financed between state, county, and federal dollars.

09HouseHHS0112AttachEE.pdf


03:55 PM

George DelGrosso, Executive Director, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC), introduced himself to the committee and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment FF). He spoke to a variety of issues the CBHC addresses. Doyle Forrestal, Director of Public Policy, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, introduced herself and spoke to information the website can provide to the committee. Ms. Forrestal mentioned that a mental health caucus, which CBHC is partnering with Mental Health America, to establish.

09HouseHHS0112AttachFF.pdf


04:05 PM

Carmilita Muniz, Colorado Association of Alcohol and Drug Services, introduced herself and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment GG). She stated that the Colorado Providers Association (COPA) is a statewide trade association of substance abuse prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery providers. The Colorado Association of Alcohol and Drug Services is a member of COPA. James Adams-Burger, President, Omni Institute, introduced himself to the committee. He sits on the board of directors of COPA.

09HouseHHS0112AttachGG.pdf


04:10 PM

Mary Catherine Rabbitt, Colorado Long-term Care Ombudsmen Program, Colorado Legal Assistance Developer Program, and the Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People, introduced herself to the committee and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment HH). She stated that Shelly Hitt was the contact person for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and she was the contact person for the Colorado Legal Assistance Developer.

09HouseHHS0112AttachHH.pdf


04:13 PM

Kelly Fritz and A.W. Schnellbacher, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), introduced themselves to the committee and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment II). Ms. Fritz spoke to the Divided We Fall campaign.

09HouseHHS0112AttachII.pdf


04:17 PM

Jennifer Hagman, President, Colorado Psychiatric Society, introduced herself and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment JJ).

09HouseHHS0112AttachJJ.pdf


04:19 PM

Mark Kling, Family Resource Center, introduced himself to the committee and provided a handout (Attachment KK). Mr. Kling stated that the Family Resource Center began as a state supported center, but is now supported by private funding and is a non-profit organization.

09HouseHHS0112AttachKK.pdf


04:22 PM

Micki Hackenberger and Peggi O'Keefe introduced themselves and provided a handout to the committee. Ms. O'Keefe provided a handout about their firm, Axiom Strategies to the committee (Attachment LL).

09HouseHHS0112AttachLL.pdf


04:25 PM

Beth Minahan, Colorado Communique, Colorado Optometric Association, introduced herself and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment MM).

09HouseHHS0112AttachMM.pdf


04:29 PM

Catherine Benavidez, Hispanic Nurses Association and Alliance of Health Disparities, introduced herself. She spoke briefly about the two organizations she represents.


04:34 PM

Sue Hall, Director of Health Care Policy, Colorado Family Medicine Residences, introduced herself and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment NN). She stated the organization was statutorily established. Ms. Hall provided information on the mission and it's activities.

09HouseHHS0112AttachNN.pdf


04:40 PM

Ruth Aponte and Edie Busam, introduced themselves to the committee and provided a handout on their clients to the committee (Attachment OO). Some of their clients include The Children's Hospital, Colorado Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, and American Academy of Pediatrics, Colorado Chapter.

09HouseHHS0112AttachOO.pdf


04:47 PM

The committee adjourned.