Bill Summary for Bill Number HB10-1242

Date: 03/09/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB10-1242

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment F). Th Moved to refer House Bill 10-1242, as amended, to Moved to strike the effective date and safety clau	Pass Without Objection PASS PASS

03:00 PM -- House Bill 10-1242

Representative Apuan, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 10-1242, concerning the implementation of a uniform application form for individual health benefit plans by the Commissioner of Insurance. Representative Apuan explained the effect of the bill, and discussed the need for the legislation. Representative Apuan responded to questions regarding the ability of health insurance providers to request additional information of a covered individual at the time the uniform application is filed. Discussion ensued regarding health insurance industry input pertaining to the contents of the form. Representative Apuan responded to questions regarding the need to pass legislation to create a uniform application, as opposed to allowing the Commissioner of Insurance to do so through rulemaking. Discussion ensued regarding the opinion of the insurance industry on House Bill 10-1242. Discussion followed regarding the need for a safety clause in the bill.

03:08 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 10-1242:

03:09 PM -- Mr. Aaron Segal, representing the Colorado Public Interest Research Group, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Segal discussed the benefits to consumers of creating a uniform health insurance application. Mr. Segal responded to questions regarding the potential for duplicity as a result of health insurers requesting additional information from insurance applicants on additional forms.

03:12 PM -- Mr. Bob Semro, representing the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in favor of House Bill 10-1242. Mr. Semro explained that a uniform insurance application already exists in the small-group market, and discussed the need for one in the individual market. Discussion ensued regarding the potential for making the uniform application an electronic application, and insurance companies in Colorado that accept electronic applications.

03:15 PM -- Mr. Ben Price, representing the Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in favor of a forthcoming amendment to the bill. Mr. Price discussed the inconveniences experienced by health insurance applicants as a result of differing forms used by health insurers, and discussed the benefits of instituting one uniform application for the individual health insurance market. Discussion ensued regarding the potential for health insurers to institute an electronic application process. Mr. Price clarified his organization's position on the bill, and responded to questions regarding forthcoming amendment L.002 (Attachment F).

03:23 PM -- Ms. Jo Donlin, representing the Division of Insurance, testified in favor of House Bill 10-1242. Ms. Donlin discussed the benefits of the bill to consumers, and information on the form about insurance underwriting in the individual market. Ms. Donlin discussed the collaborative process that led to the bill's drafting, and addressed questions raised about electronic health insurance applications. Ms. Donlin also addressed other questions raised during earlier testimony.

03:28 PM

Representative Apuan explained the effect of prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment F).


BILL:	HB10-1242
TIME:	03:28:35 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		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


BILL:	HB10-1242
TIME:	03:30:41 PM
MOVED:	Murray
MOTION:	Moved to strike the effective date and safety clause from House Bill 10-1242 and replace them with the referendum clause. The motion passed on a 7-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Labuda
		VOTE
	Casso	No
	Court	Yes
	DelGrosso	Yes
	Hullinghorst	No
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Nikkel	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	Labuda	No
	Todd	No

Not Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:31 PM

Representative Apuan provided closing remarks in favor of House Bill 10-1242. Discussion ensued regarding the benefits of the legislation.


BILL:	HB10-1242
TIME:	03:33:01 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 10-1242, as amended, to the Committee on Finance with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on an 11-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		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

03:34 PM

The committee recessed.