Date: 03/28/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB13-1266

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, INSURANCE & ENVIRONMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment L). The motion p
Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment M). The motion p
Refer House Bill 13-1266, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
PASS



02:25 PM -- House Bill 13-1266

Representative Schafer called the committee back to order. Representative McCann and Representative Gardner presented House Bill 13-1266. Representative McCann referenced a summary that was distributed to the committee prior to the meeting (Attachment I). The bill aligns state health insurance laws with the requirements of the federal health care reform under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. Among other things, the bill:

130328 AttachI.pdf130328 AttachI.pdf

Representative Primavera and Representative Gardner discussed coverage for services for people with autism and breast cancer. Representative Ginal asked about domestic partner coverage. Representative Schafer discussed statutes preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation.


02:36 PM -- Commissioner Jim Riesberg, Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies, testified in support of the bill. He provided a legislative fact sheet to the committee (Attachment J). He discussed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange. He stated that the bill changes only the statutes identified as those that must be changed, and provides the Commissioner of Insurance discretion to address ongoing decisions through the rule-making process. Commissioner Riesberg discussed essential health benefits in response to a question about the amount of flexibility that is allowed to states under the Affordable Care Act. He responded to questions about how the bill addresses health care and consumer choice in rural areas. He stated 9 counties are without a gynecologist and 17 counties are without a dentist. He discussed expanding scopes of practice and telemedicine to address health care needs in Colorado. Commissioner Riesberg responded to questions about state mandates and essential health benefits. He responded to questions about whether plan rates will increase in the next few years, plan choice under the federal exchange and the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange, and the affordability threshold established by the Affordable Care Act. Representative Schafer requested that Commissioner Riesberg provide a copy of his testimony to the committee (Attachment K).

130328 AttachJ.pdf130328 AttachJ.pdf130328 AttachK.pdf130328 AttachK.pdf

03:10 PM -- Peg Brown and Dayle Axman, Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies, responded to questions about the changes the bill makes to state mandates concerning autism services, breast cancer prevention services, and mammographies. Ms. Brown responded to questions about domestic partner coverage, the potential costs associated with state mandates, and the penalties for not having health insurance. Ms. Brown responded to questions about coverage for prosthetic device and clinical trials.


03:22 PM -- Dr. Chris Eddy, Colorado Optometric Association, testified in support of the bill. He discussed a potential amendment.


03:25 PM -- Marc Reece, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the regulatory simplifications provided by the bill and how the bill could save money. He stated that the current benefits in Colorado are not changing. Mr. Reece responded to a question about whether federal law preempts state law.


03:30 PM -- Debra Judy, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the consumer protections provided by the bill.


03:33 PM -- Travis Berry, Colorado Competitive Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Berry responded to questions about health insurance plan rates. He discussed the simplification the bill creates.


03:39 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


03:48 PM

Representative Schafer called the committee back to order. Representative Gardner discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment L).

130328 AttachL.pdf130328 AttachL.pdf
BILL:HB13-1266
TIME: 03:48:46 PM
MOVED:McCann
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment L). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Schafer
VOTE
Conti
Fields
Ginal
Humphrey
Joshi
Primavera
Stephens
Swalm
Young
Schafer
McCann
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



03:49 PM

Representative Gardner discussed amendment L.002 (Attachment M).

130328 AttachM.pdf130328 AttachM.pdf
BILL:HB13-1266
TIME: 03:50:01 PM
MOVED:McCann
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment M). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Schafer
VOTE
Conti
Fields
Ginal
Humphrey
Joshi
Primavera
Stephens
Swalm
Young
Schafer
McCann
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



03:51 PM

Representative Stephens and Representative Schafer commented on the bill.
BILL:HB13-1266
TIME: 03:53:47 PM
MOVED:McCann
MOTION:Refer House Bill 13-1266, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 9-2.
SECONDED:Young
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Fields
Yes
Ginal
Yes
Humphrey
No
Joshi
No
Primavera
Yes
Stephens
Yes
Swalm
Yes
Young
Yes
Schafer
Yes
McCann
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:55 PM

Representative Schafer reminded the committee that there would not be meetings the week of April 1 and adjourned the committee.