House Committee on Public Health Care & Human Services (02/24/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Date:	02/24/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:32 PM to 06:48 PM	Conti	X
		Danielson	X
Place:	HCR 0107	Everett	X
		Ginal	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Joshi	X
	Representative Primavera	Landgraf	X
		Melton	X
This Report was prepared by		Moreno	X
	Elizabeth Burger	Sias	X
		Tyler	X
		Windholz	X
		Singer	X
		Primavera	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Presentation on Personalized Medicine by the CU Cancer Center Presentation on Music Therapy HB15-1175 HB15-1194 HB15-1188		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to Appropriations Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:33 PM -- Presentation on Personalized Medicine University of Colorado Cancer Center

Dr. Dan Theodorescu, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, introduced his presentation on precision medicine at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A). He gave an overview of the center, and described the consortium that comprises the center. He described the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network. He noted that the center had 10,757 new patient visits in 2013. He described the research that the center has undertaken for various types of cancer.

150224 AttachA.pdf

01:45 PM

Dr. Theodorescu described precision medicine, which is applied to cancer diagnoses. It includes making an accurate and timely diagnoses and using precision medicine after the diagnosis to establish the risk associated with the cancer. He described the clinical practices of the center and the services that are provided to patients and their families. He explained that, at the center, physicians have access to patient genetic information, treatment standards of care for particular types of cancer, and information on clinical trials that may be available to the patients.

01:52 PM

Dr. Theodorescu described the research efforts that are underway for bladder cancer treatments. He described a new cancer drug that may be used in the treatment of various cancers. He described the goals of the center, which include being in the top ten cancer centers in the nation, being the first cancer center in the nation to study and deploy innovative precision medicine approaches statewide, being the first cancer center in the nation to have a biotechnology incubator, and being competitive for national funding opportunities. Dr. Theodorescu discussed the state funding for cancer centers in other states. He responded to questions from the committee. The committee took a brief recess.

02:19 PM -- Presentation on Music Therapy

The committee reconvened. Amy Wilson, Colorado Music Therapy State Task Force, described her practice as a music therapist. She described the settings in which music therapists practice and noted that are 141 board-certified music therapists in Colorado. She described the qualifications for music therapists and the practice of music therapy. She explained that music therapists will be seeking title protection next year, and discussed the reasons why the profession is pursuing regulation. She discussed the status of legislation concerning music therapists in other states and previous Colorado legislation on this issue. She showed the committee a video regarding the practice of music therapy.

02:39 PM -- HB 15-1175

Representative Rosenthal introduced House Bill 15-1175. The bill prohibits physicians specializing in psychiatry and licensed or registered mental health professional from engaging in conversion therapy with patients under 18 years of age. Conversion therapy is defined as any practice that seeks to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expression or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward individuals of the same sex. Representative Singer discussed the practice of re-birthing therapy.

02:45 PM -- Jayson Graves, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill and shared his personal story receiving therapy for same-sex attraction. He also described his practice as a registered psychotherapist. He responded to questions from the committee regarding his therapy practice and the effects of the bill. He addressed questions from the committee about how the bill would alter his therapy practice.

03:01 PM -- Jeff Johnston, Focus on the Family, testified in opposition to the bill and shared his personal story receiving therapy for same-sex attraction. He listed several reasons for opposing the bill and distributed three handouts to the committee (Attachments B, C, and D).

150224 AttachB.pdf

150224 AttachC.pdf

150224 AttachD.pdf

03:10 PM -- Natalie Decker, Colorado Family Action, testified in opposition to the bill, arguing that the bill is an unconstitutional limitation of free speech. She testified there have been no studies finding that the therapy is harmful.

03:13 PM -- Robin Goodspeed, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill and described the abuse she suffered in her youth. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the therapy she received in her past. She stated that the bill prohibits children in Colorado from having the option to have therapy that she herself would have benefitted from.

03:20 PM -- John Brannon, testified in opposition to the bill, and regarding his concern that the bill would affect his ability to offer spiritual counsel to his parishioners. He stated that he believed the bill restricts free speech and responded to questions from the committee. The committee discussed the ethical responsibilities of licensed and registered mental health professionals and whether the bill applies to clergy members.

03:41 PM -- Michael Lott-Manier, Mental Health America of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and discussed the research related to the negative effects of therapy to change sexual orientation. He stated that the bill provides appropriate protections for children in Colorado. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the effects of the bill.

03:48 PM -- Sarah Musick, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and described the therapy she received related to her feelings of same-sex attraction. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:56 PM -- Benjamin Waters, Colorado Association of Psychotherapists, testified in support of the bill and listed other organizations in support of the bill. He stated that conversion therapy is discredited and harmful. He stated that the bill does not cover pastors and other counselors who are not licensed mental health professionals. He discussed the status of similar laws in other states and related court opinions that upheld the laws. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:11 PM -- Ronne Hines, Department of Regulatory Agencies, responded to questions from the committee regarding whether the bill would apply to religious ministers, prohibited mental health practices, health professional practice acts, and complaints regarding conversion therapy.

04:16 PM -- Russell Haas, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill and listed his concerns with the bill.

04:17 PM -- Mark Coulter, Colorado Counseling Association, testified in support of the bill. He discussed therapy that is designed to change a person's sexual orientation, and the positions of mental health professional associations on such therapy. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:34 PM

Representative Rosenthal gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. Members of the committee commented on the bill.


BILL:	HB15-1175
TIME:	04:39:20 PM
MOVED:	Singer
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1175 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 7-6.
SECONDED:	Ginal
		VOTE
	Conti	No
	Danielson	Yes
	Everett	No
	Ginal	Yes
	Joshi	No
	Landgraf	No
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Sias	No
	Tyler	Yes
	Windholz	No
	Singer	Yes
	Primavera	Yes

Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:43 PM -- HB 15-1194

Representative Coram and Representative K.C. Becker introduced House Bill 15-1194. The bill continues the expanded Family Planning Program within the Department of Public Health and Environment, which provides long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) to clients.

04:50 PM

Representative Coram and Representative Becker answered questions about the cost savings the program provides and the availability of LARCs.

04:53 PM -- Dr. Larry Wolk, Executive Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill. He described the drop in the teen pregnancy rate and abortion rate as a result of the program. He discussed the training component of the program and relayed statistics related to the training. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the rates of sexually transmitted diseases, noting they did not increase over the course of the program. Dr. Wolk further discussed the health effects associated with hormonal birth control methods. He further responded to a question about a similar program in Saint Louis, Missouri, the bill's appropriation, the amount women pay for LARCs under the program, the average age of women who participate in the program, whether parental permission is required to provide contraceptive services to minors, and the medical risks associated with contraception.

05:11 PM -- Michael Norton, Alliance Defending Freedom, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment E). He stated that LARCs are abortifacients and the bill violates the state constitution.

150224 AttachE.pdf

05:14 PM -- Joyce Dennison, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill and discussed statistics related to the practice of abstinence among teens. She discussed the adverse health effects associated with LARCs and stated that the availability of contraception encourages sexual behavior. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the birth control pill, how LARCs work, and various risk-avoidance methods for teens.

05:28 PM -- Diane Palaschak, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated that LARCs do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the bill does not address increased costs associated with increased sexual activity. She asked the committee to consider the long-term effects of the bill.

05:32 PM -- Marie Gorham, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill and regarding the adverse health risks associated with LARCs. She spoke in support of abstinence education.

05:36 PM -- Rachel Gorham, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill and spoke in support of abstinence education. Ms. Palaschak and Marie and Rachel Gorham responded to questions from the committee.

05:50 PM -- Russel Haas, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill and discussed birthrates in the state.

05:53 PM -- Dr. John Douglas, Tri-county Health Department and Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the family planning services offered by Tri-County Health Department. He discussed the negative effects associated with teen pregnancy. He discussed the decreases in teen pregnancies and abortions through the program. He stated that continuing to make LARCs accessible is critical to all women.

05:56 PM -- Averil Strand, Larimer County Department of Health and Health District of Larimer County, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment F). She stated the initiative has allowed Larimer County clinics to provide LARCs to women who request it and who are medically eligible. She explained that before the program was available, it was cost-prohibitive for the clinics to purchase the LARC devices. She discussed the teen birth rate in the county both before and after the initiative.

150224 AttachF.pdf

06:00 PM -- Bonnie Koehler, Delta County, spoke in support of the bill and testified regarding the family planning program. Dr. Douglas, Ms. Strand, and Ms. Koehler responded to questions from the committee.

06:11 PM -- Meredith Vaughn, Women's Foundation of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the importance of women to Colorado's workforce, and stated that women who can plan pregnancies have better education and economic prospects. She relayed statistics related to the family planning program.

06:15 PM -- Caitlin Green, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and discussed her participation in the family planning program. She stated that cost should not be a factor in allowing women to access birth control.

06:17 PM -- Chris Watney, Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill, and listed the reasons her organization supports the bill. She spoke regarding the negative health effects associated with unplanned pregnancies. She discussed the cost of the LARCs, and noted that these forms of contraception would not be accessible for many women without the program.

06:23 PM

Representatives Coram and Becker gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. Members of the committee commented on the bill.


BILL:	HB15-1194
TIME:	06:36:10 PM
MOVED:	Singer
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1194 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 8-5.
SECONDED:	Ginal
		VOTE
	Conti	No
	Danielson	Yes
	Everett	No
	Ginal	Yes
	Joshi	No
	Landgraf	Yes
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Sias	No
	Tyler	Yes
	Windholz	No
	Singer	Yes
	Primavera	Yes

Final YES: 8 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

06:40 PM -- HB15-1188

Representatives Primavera and Ryden introduced House Bill 15-1188. The bill addresses concerns identified by a recent audit of the state Vocational Rehabilitation Program for persons with disabilities. The bill specifies that vocational services are not an entitlement. Furthermore, the bill specifies that services provided out of the state are not reimbursable, except in limited circumstances. The sponsor distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment G).

150224 AttachG.pdf


BILL:	HB15-1188
TIME:	06:46:56 PM
MOVED:	Primavera
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment G). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Singer
		VOTE
	Conti
	Danielson
	Everett
	Ginal
	Joshi
	Landgraf
	Melton
	Moreno
	Sias
	Tyler
	Windholz
	Singer
	Primavera

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB15-1188
TIME:	06:47:28 PM
MOVED:	Primavera
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1188, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 13-0.
SECONDED:	Everett
		VOTE
	Conti	Yes
	Danielson	Yes
	Everett	Yes
	Ginal	Yes
	Joshi	Yes
	Landgraf	Yes
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Sias	Yes
	Tyler	Yes
	Windholz	Yes
	Singer	Yes
	Primavera	Yes

Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

06:48 PM

The committee adjourned.