Date: 04/24/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB13-1315

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 13-1315 to the Committee of the WPASS



10:12 AM -- House Bill 13-1315

Representative Fischer, prime sponsor, came to the table to present House Bill 13-1315 which concerns the authority of a governing board of an institution of higher education to mandate purchases relating to health care. Under current law, the governing board of an institution of higher education may not require that an undergraduate student purchase health care insurance or services. Institutions that had such requirements prior to 1994 are exempt from this prohibition. The bill eliminates the prohibition, and authorizes any governing board to require student health care insurance.

Representative Landgraf asked about the provisions of federal law concerning health care coverage and if students age 26 and younger will be exempt from the provisions of HB 13-1315. Representative Fischer stated that students age 26 and younger will have a number of options for health care coverage, and will only need to provide proof of coverage if it is required by the higher education institution. He stated that it is beneficial for students to have access to health care in the university setting, and that one of the top five reasons students drop out of college is due to an unforeseen illness and lack of health care coverage. Representative Young asked for confirmation that the bill does not require students to have health insurance, but rather, lifts the current prohibition that higher education institutions not require proof of student health insurance coverage. Representative Fischer responded in the affirmative.

The following person testified:

10:20 AM -- Mike Nosler, representing the Colorado State University System (CSU), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Nosler stated that CSU wants to be treated like all of the other universities in the state, most of whom are exempt from the prohibition under current law. He stated that the bill gives all higher education institutions the ability to require proof of student health care coverage. He stated that higher education institutions want a healthy student population, and that one of the top five reasons that students leave college is due to uncovered medical expenses.

Representative Holbert asked why CSU needs the option of requiring coverage since the federal law will require this in January 2014. Mr. Nosler stated that this will apply to the incoming fall cohort at CSU. Representative Holbert asked if CSU will face a financial liability if the bill does not pass. Mr. Nosler stated that the liability is the health of the student population and their ability to have health coverage. Representative Murray asked if there is a problem now. Mr. Nosler stated that this is a real problem, and that when students complete their exit interviews with CSU, health care costs are in the top five reasons why students leave college. Representative Wilson asked if CSU benefits financially from offering health care insurance to students. Mr. Nosler stated that he does not think so, and that he believes that CSU is self-insured.

Representative Fischer made closing comments to the bill.
BILL:HB13-1315
TIME: 10:26:49 AM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer House Bill 13-1315 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 7-6.
SECONDED:Peniston
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Court
Yes
Everett
No
Fields
Yes
Holbert
No
Landgraf
No
Murray
No
Pettersen
Yes
Priola
No
Wilson
No
Young
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Hamner
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS