Date: 02/23/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB10-1228

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A). Th
Moved to refer House Bill 10-1228, as amended, to 		Pass Without Objection
PASS



01:32 PM

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present.


01:33 PM -- House Bill 10-1228

Representative Benefield, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 10-1228, concerning the responsibility of the state personnel director to remove ineligible dependents from group benefit plans. Representative Benefield explained the effect of the bill, and discussed its fiscal impact. Representative Benefield responded to questions regarding the number of individuals that would be affected by the bill's passage. Representative Benefield recounted a personal anecdote that led her to sponsor the legislation. Discussion ensued regarding whether a health insurance claim would be paid under the bill for the child of a state employee who has aged out of eligibility for the insurance.


01:44 PM

Discussion continued regarding the payment of insurance claims for those who are no longer eligible due to age. Ms. Kristen Forrestal, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided clarification regarding who would be financially responsible for such claims, and the potential for amending the bill to clarify the source of such payments. Representative Benefield clarified the intent of the bill with regard to these payments. Ms. Forrestal provided input regarding the proper course of action for amending House Bill 10-1228.


01:51 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 10-1228:

01:52 PM -- Ms. Debbie Stafford, former state representative representing herself, testified in favor of the bill. Ms. Stafford recounted a personal anecdote concerning the aging out of her child from a state health plan without her knowledge when she was a state representative, and the time it took her to recoup her premiums. Ms. Stafford also discussed how insurance carriers handle dependents whose age has made them ineligible for coverage. Ms. Stafford responded to questions regarding how she handled her personal issue with her daughter aging out of her health insurance plan.

01:57 PM -- Mr. Marc Reece, representing the Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified regarding House Bill 10-1228 from a neutral position. Mr. Reece explained the standard practice health insurers follow when children age out of their parents' health insurance plans. Discussion ensued regarding this practice. Mr. Reece responded to questions regarding the need to amend the bill to conform with current health insurance carrier practices in this area. Representative Benefield provided clarification regarding the nexus between current state law, health insurance carrier practice, and the effect of the bill. Mr. Reece responded to questions regarding instances in which premiums are paid for children who have aged out of health insurance plans.

02:02 PM -- Ms. Susan Cox, representing Kaiser Permanente, testified regarding the bill from a neutral position. Ms. Cox explained how her company provides notice when the child of an employee covered by Kaiser has become ineligible for coverage due to age, and practice followed when claims are made in error.


02:04 PM

Representative Benefield explained the effect of prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

10HseState0223AttachA.pdf
BILL:HB10-1228
TIME: 02:04:13 PM
MOVED:Todd
MOTION:Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Labuda
VOTE
Casso
Court
DelGrosso
Hullinghorst
McCann
Miklosi
Murray
Nikkel
Waller
Labuda
Todd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


02:04 PM

Representative Benefield provided closing remarks in favor of House Bill 10-1228.
BILL:HB10-1228
TIME: 02:05:42 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 10-1228, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on an 11-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Labuda
VOTE
Casso
Yes
Court
Yes
DelGrosso
Yes
Hullinghorst
Yes
McCann
Yes
Miklosi
Yes
Murray
Yes
Nikkel
Yes
Waller
Yes
Labuda
Yes
Todd
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS