Date: 04/28/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-011

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 15-011 to the Committee on ApproPASS



01:33 PM -- SB 15-011

Representative Primavera introduced Senate Bill 15-011. The bill continues the Medicaid Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Pilot Program through September 1, 2020, and expands the program to serve additional clients. Under the pilot, Medicaid clients with spinal cord injuries who are eligible for home- and community-based services are allowed to receive complementary or alternative medicines. Under the bill, the existing cap of 67 clients would be raised to at least 100 clients, subject to available appropriations. Representative Primavera distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A) and responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill. Representative Primavera explained why there was a delay in implementing the original pilot program.

150428 AttachA.pdf150428 AttachA.pdf

01:44 PM -- Chanda Hinton, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She described the benefits of alternative therapies for individuals who have suffered spinal cord injuries. She stated that extending the program will allow for more information about the positive outcomes of the program to be gathered.

01:47 PM -- Lowell Frederick, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He stated that the services provided through the pilot program have been beneficial to him and have allowed him to obtain a job. He responded to questions from the committee.

01:49 PM -- Micah McClean, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and discussed the benefits he has received from acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy.

01:53 PM -- Melissa McGuire, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

01:56 PM -- CJ Powell, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and regarding the services that he receives through the pilot program. He spoke in support of continuing the program.

01:58 PM -- Chandra Matthews, Access Long-term Solutions, testified in support of the bill and regarding the benefits provided through the pilot program. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the coverage of alternative therapies under Medicaid and whether the program has a waiting list.

02:03 PM -- Anna Aranda, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She testified regarding the benefits that she has received by participating in the pilot program.

02:06 PM -- Ralph Rasiak, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He stated that alternative therapies make a big difference in peoples' lives.

02:07 PM -- Candace Bailey, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, responded to questions from the committee regarding the services available under the program, and noted that the department supports the bill.

02:09 PM -- James Ainsworth, representing himself, testified regarding his participation in the program and his experience as a single parent. He discussed how the program has allowed him to reduce the amount of pain medication he takes. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:14 PM -- Curtis Wolff, representing himself, testified that he is on the waiting list for the program and spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:16 PM -- Andre' Lang, representing himself, testified that the therapies he receives through the pilot program are helping him to heal from his spinal cord injury. He spoke in support of the bill.

02:19 PM -- Errick Kriegh, representing himself, testified regarding the benefits of the therapies he receives from the pilot program.

02:21 PM

Representative Primavera gave concluding remarks regarding the bill.

BILL:SB15-011
TIME: 02:24:31 PM
MOVED:Primavera
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-011 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 12-1.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Danielson
Yes
Everett
No
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
Yes
Landgraf
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Sias
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Windholz
Yes
Singer
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 12 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS