House Committee on Health, Insurance, & Environment (01/27/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, INSURANCE, & ENVIRONMENT

Date:	01/27/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:03 AM to 11:27 AM	Brown	X
		Esgar	X
Place:	HCR 0107	Humphrey	E
		Joshi	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Klingenschmitt	X
	Representative McCann	Landgraf	X
		Lontine	X
This Report was prepared by		Mitsch Bush	X
	Amanda King	Primavera	X
		Ransom	X
		Ryden	X
		Ginal	X
		McCann	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Presentation by the Division of Professions and Occupations Presentation by the Division of Insurance		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

10:04 AM -- Presentation by the Division of Professions and Occupations

Lauren Larson, representing the Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies, provided an overview of the division to the committee. She introduced members of the division's staff. Ms. Larson stated that the division regulates nearly 15 percent of the state's labor force. She stated that the division regulates 28 health care professions, which is about 230,000 health care professionals. Ms. Larson referenced the organization chart (Attachment A) that was provided to the committee. She discussed the role the division has in regulating professions that have boards and those that operate under the director model. Ms. Larson discussed licensing fees and how the reorganization of the division in 2013 created efficiencies.

150127 AttachA.pdf

10:10 AM

Ms. Larson discussed the development of joint regulatory guidelines across professions for prescribing and dispensing opiates. She discussed House Bill 14-1283, concerning modifications to the electronic prescription drug monitoring program. A brochure on the program (Attachment B) was distributed to the committee. Ms. Larson discussed a policy initiative concerning the prescriptive authority of advance practice registered nurses that stems from recommendations by the Nurse-Physician Advisory Task Force for Colorado Healthcare.

150127 AttachB.pdf

10:15 AM

Ms. Larson responded to questions about potential legislation addressing the prescriptive authority of advance practice registered nurses. She responded to questions about a patient's ability to change physicians if the patient is taking pain medication. The committee dialogued with Ms. Larson about the willingness of physicians to prescribe pain medication. Ms. Larson responded to questions about licensing fees and why professions would request licensure.

10:28 AM

Ms. Larson responded to questions about how efficiencies were realized in the division. In response to a question, she listed the six mental health boards in the division. Ms. Larson responded to questions about the implementation of House Bill 14-1283. She responded to questions about the professions regulated by division, how often sunset reviews are conducted, and the costs related to operating a board program versus a director-model program. In response to a question, Ms. Larson stated that the division does not regulate yoga teacher training schools.

10:39 AM -- Presentation by the Division of Insurance

Marguerite Salazar, Commission of Insurance, provided a handout to the committee (Attachment C). She discussed the role of the Division of Insurance (DOI) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies in licensing and regulating insurance companies and insurance agents. She discussed the financial reviews and rate reviews the division conducts on insurance companies. Commissioner Salazar stated the division approves health insurance rates. She discussed the division's consumer affairs team. Commissioner Salazar stated that in FY 2013-14, the DOI recovered over $9 million for Colorado consumers. She discussed how the DOI assists communities after natural or man-made disasters.

150127 AttachC.pdf

10:47 AM

Commissioner Salazar outlined the types of insurance the division regulates. She discussed the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the impact it has had on the DOI. Commissioner Salazar discussed the number of health insurance plans offered in Colorado and the reduction in the number of uninsured people in Colorado since the implementation of the PPACA.

10:55 AM

Commissioner Salazar responded to questions about what can be done in response to consumer complaints. She responded to questions about the availability of data related to the cost of health care and the All Payer Claims Database. In response to a question, Commissioner Salazar discussed market review examinations conducted by the DOI. She discussed the role of the DOI in reviewing and approving health insurance rates. Commissioner Salazar responded to questions about the PPACA. Commissioner Salazar and Peg Brown, Deputy Commissioner for Consumer Affairs in the DOI, responded to questions about the ability to buy health insurance across state lines. Ms. Brown responded to questions about the competitiveness of Colorado's insurance market.

11:13 AM

Commissioner Salazar responded to questions about how many rate increases are typically denied. Ms. Brown responded to questions about property and casualty insurance. Representative Joshi commented on the PPACA. Representative Mitsch Bush discussed a wildfire mitigation program in Eagle County. Ms. Brown responded to questions about the implementation of House Bill 13-1266, concerning the alignment of state health insurance laws with the requirements of the PPACA, and the ability of the DOI to align state law with the PPACA.

11:27 AM

The committee adjourned.