Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Date:03/10/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:32 PM to 03:59 PM
Conti
*
Danielson
X
Place:HCR 0107
Everett
X
Ginal
*
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 from the Gates Center
HB15-1102
HB15-1087
HB15-1214
SB15-019		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole


01:34 PM -- Presentation from the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell

Representative Primavera introduced the presenters from the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at the University of Colorado, Dr. Dennis Rupp, Director of the Gates Center, and Tim Gardner, Director of Finance for the Gates Center. A copy of the presentation (Attachment A) and the center's 2013 annual report (Attachment B) were distributed to the committee. Dr. Rupp explained the origin of the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and stated that the center focuses on research involving adult, not embryonic, stem cells. He discussed the technology that is used to reprogram adult human skin cells into embryonic-like stem cells (iPS), and the scientists who won the 2012 Nobel prize in medicine for this discovery. He discussed how the center is using the iPS cells to treat patients with genetic defects and noted that iPS-based therapies are being developed to treat Parkinson's Disease, cardiovascular diseases, cartilage and bone regeneration, and macular degeneration. Dr. Rupp responded to questions from the committee.

150310 AttachA.pdf150310 AttachA.pdf150310 AttachB.pdf150310 AttachB.pdf


01:52 PM

Dr. Rupp discussed stem cells in the blood and how therapies may be developed to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplants. He further discussed how damaged corneas can be repaired with stem cell technology. He explained that the Gates Center is building the Gates Biomanufacturing Production (GMP) Facility. Mr. Gardner discussed the facility, which will specialize in both protein production and cell therapies. He further described the GMP, which is a clean manufacturing environment with specific operating procedures and discussed how the GMP facility will facilitate stem cell therapies for patients in Colorado. Dr. Rupp responded to questions from the committee. Mr. Garnder discussed GMP facilities in other states, and noted that only five, including the Gates Center, have combined cell therapy and protein production facilities.

02:11 PM -- HB 15-1102

Representatives Hamner and Willett introduced House Bill 15-1102 and distributed amendment L.003 (Attachment C). The bill expands the Colorado Cottage Foods Act to add fruit empanadas, tortillas, and pickled vegetables to the list of non potentially hazardous foods that can be sold when produced in a home kitchen. Representative Hamner discussed amendment L.003, which divides cottage foods into two tiers, and requires the State Board of Health to promulgate rules including enforcement provisions necessary to provide for the production and sale of tier two foods. Representative Willett discussed food production in rural areas of the state and specifically on the Western Slope. Representative Hamner responded to questions from the committee regarding the increased scrutiny for tier two products, specifically pickles, and the potential fiscal note of developing regulations for pickles produced in a home kitchen.

150310 AttachC.pdf150310 AttachC.pdf

02:29 PM -- Evette Lee, Western Colorado Congress, testified in support of the bill and stated that the bill would allow her to buy artisanal foods.

02:30 PM -- Rein van West, Western Colorado Congress, testified in support of the bill. He stated the bill will allow local food producers to add economic benefit to the state and increase food options.

02:32 PM -- Monica Wiitanen, Western Colorado Congress, testified in support of the bill. She spoke regarding the impact of the Cottage Food Act on small businesses and responded to questions from the committee.

02:41 PM -- Marilyn Kretzinger, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and stated that as a consumer, access to local foods is important. She stated that she supports anything the helps farmers with the financial risks of food production.


02:49 PM -- John Ellis, representing himself and the Rocky Mountain Farmers' Union, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the financial impact of farmers' markets and community supported agriculture.
BILL:HB15-1102
TIME: 02:53:45 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Moreno
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



02:54 PM

Representative Willett gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. Members of the committee commented on the bill.
BILL:HB15-1102
TIME: 02:56:38 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1102, as amended, to the Committee of the Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 10-3.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Danielson
Yes
Everett
No
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
No
Landgraf
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Sias
No
Tyler
Yes
Windholz
Yes
Singer
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:00 PM -- HB 15-1087

Representative Vigil introduced House Bill 15-1087 and distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment D), which is a strike-below amendment. He explained the provisions of the amendment, which creates a pilot program to triage individuals requiring detoxification for substance abuse. The purpose of the pilot program is to allow an individual to be triaged within two levels of detoxification treatment, depending on the specific needs of the individual after initial assessment, allowing the individual to receive services from an approved service provider for both licensed medically monitored inpatient detoxification and licensed clinically managed residential detoxification. The pilot program will be available through a competitive procurement process. Client services for pilot programs are to begin on or before July 1, 2016, and the pilot programs are to operate for three years. At least one of the awards must go to a rural treatment center, one to an urban treatment center and one to a treatment center in either an urban or rural area. Representative Vigil responded to questions from the committee.

150310 AttachD.pdf150310 AttachD.pdf

03:14 PM -- Chris Habgood, Department of Human Services, came to the table to answer committee questions regarding the bill's fiscal note.


03:22 PM -- Christie Donner, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill and discussed the need for medical detoxification facilities in the state. She distributed a handout showing the increase in deaths related to heroin and prescription drugs from 1999 to 2013 (Attachment E). She stated that the bill is one strategy to avert costs in the criminal justice system. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the number of offenders in the criminal justice system with a substance abuse disorder.

150310 AttachE.pdf150310 AttachE.pdf
BILL:HB15-1087
TIME: 03:29:44 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Moreno
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:HB15-1087
TIME: 03:30:40 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1087, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 8-5.
SECONDED:Moreno
VOTE
Conti
Yes
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: 8 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




03:37 PM -- HB 15-1214

Representative Singer introduced House Bill 15-1214. The committee previously heard witness testimony on the bill on March 3, 2015. Representative Singer distributed amendment L.003 (Attachment F). He responded to questions from the committee.

150310 AttachF.pdf150310 AttachF.pdf
BILL:HB15-1214
TIME: 03:47:29 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Melton
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:HB15-1214
TIME: 03:48:45 PM
MOVED:Singer
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1214, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-2.
SECONDED:Moreno
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Danielson
Yes
Everett
No
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
Yes
Landgraf
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Sias
No
Tyler
Yes
Windholz
Yes
Singer
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




03:50 PM -- SB 15-019

Representative Nordberg introduced Senate Bill 15-019. The bill allows the state auditor to conduct a full performance audit of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange and submit a written report to the Legislative Audit Committee with any findings and recommendations resulting from the audit.
BILL:SB15-019
TIME: 03:53:19 PM
MOVED:Primavera
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-019 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

03:59 PM

The committee adjourned.