Bill Summary for Bill Number HB10-1021

Date: 04/19/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB10-1021

COMMITTEE ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Move a substitute motion to adopt CLHB1021.004 (At Move to adopt CLHB1021.009 [See following vote she	FAIL PASS

03:40 PM

Representative Frangas called the conference committee on House Bill 10-1021 to order. He talked about draft report CLHB1021.006 (Attachment A) which allows companies to exclude coverage for pregnancy and delivery on the grounds that pregnancy is a preexisting condition, except coverage would be required after twelve months of coverage. Representative Frangas stated that this draft would keep costs down in the individual market and talked about prenatal care and complications during pregnancy. Representative Frangas also discussed the upcoming federal regulations on health insurance.

03:43 PM

Senator Boyd explained that if complications occur during pregnancy, health insurance companies are already required under current law to step in. She stated that she preferred the 6-month coverage exclusion over the other options, but said she is willing to go with the 12-month exclusion. Senator Foster asked whether a women who is not pregnant and covered would be covered under the bill. Kristen Forrestal, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded and explained that if a woman is covered prior to becoming pregnant, none of the drafts would apply because it would not be a preexisting condition. Senator Boyd asked whether CLHB1021.008 (Attachment B), which makes pregnancy a preexisting condition, would not allow a subsequent pregnancy to be covered. Ms. Forrestal responded. The committee members asked Ms. Forrestal questions regarding the 12-month exclusion in CLHB1021.006 and under what circumstances it would apply.

04:03 PM

The committee discussed changing the report to state that companies may exclude coverage for pregnancy and delivery on the grounds that pregnancy is a preexisting condition, but subsequent pregnancies would have to be covered rather than the 12-month exclusionary language.

04:31 PM -- Recess

The committee took a recess in order to allow Ms. Forrestal time to draft a new report that includes subsequent pregnancies.

04:57 PM

The meeting was called back to order. Ms. Forrestal went over the draft report CLHBL.009 (Attachment C). Senator Boyd asked for the industry to comment on the new draft.

04:59 PM -- Susan Cox, representing Kaiser Permanente, explained that the 12-month exclusion gives them certainty and allows them more accurately estimate costs and spread them equally. Ms. Cox explained that under the new report, a woman may be able to have a couple of pregnancies covered in a short amount of time. She said the original 12 month draft gives them certainty and allows Kaiser to plan costs. Senator Boyd asked how often it would happen that a woman get pregnant in that short of a time frame. Ms. Cox explained they would have to look at it as potentially two births for cost. Senator Foster addressed Ms. Cox's concerns.

05:10 PM -- Toni Panetta, representing the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League,suggested tying the preexisting exclusion to the pregnancy at the time the policy is issued and then state that the exclusion of the pregnancy shall not exceed 12 months or apply to subsequent pregnancies. Ms. Forrestal asked why the 12 month period would be needed if subsequent pregnancies are covered. A discussion ensued regarding potential language.


BILL:	HB10-1021
TIME:	05:20:24 PM
MOVED:	McCann
MOTION:	Move to adopt CLHB1021.009 [See following vote sheet for a failed substitute motion]. The motion passed 4-2.
SECONDED:	Foster
		VOTE
	McCann	Yes
	Boyd	Yes
	Swalm	No
	Scheffel	No
	Foster	Yes
	Frangas	Yes

Final YES: 4 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:	HB10-1021
TIME:	05:22:01 PM
MOVED:	Scheffel
MOTION:	Move a substitute motion to adopt CLHB1021.004 (Attachment D). The motion failed 4-2.
SECONDED:	Swalm
		VOTE
	McCann	No
	Boyd	No
	Swalm	Yes
	Scheffel	Yes
	Foster	No
	Frangas	No

Not Final YES: 2 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

05:26 PM

The committee adjourned.