Final
SUMMARY for HJR05-1026

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Votes:
Action Taken:
Moved that HJR05-1026 be referred to the CommitteePASS


01:36 PM -- HJR-1026

Representative Coleman presented HJR05-1026 which creates a special joint committee to study matters related to Colorado's auto insurance system, particularly the outcome of repealing no-fault automobile insurance and replacing it with a tort-based system. The committee will meet no more than four times during the current legislative session. Representative Coleman responded to questions from the committee.

01:43 PM -- Tricia Shaar, representing herself as a physician and a family member, testified in favor of the resolution. Dr. Shaar testified that health care insurance should not pay for trauma resulting from an auto accident.

01:47 PM -- Steve Shapiro, representing the Brain Injury Association of Colorado, testified in favor of the resolution. Mr. Shapiro testified that complicated litigation and a system of liens has developed as a result of the new system.

01:53 PM -- Stephanie Thomas, representing Denver Health, testified in favor of the resolution. Ms. Thomas testified that about 20 percent of the patients that are treated by her facility are covered by insurance. Ms. Thomas said that she supports whatever the legislature can do to help solve the problem of uninsured persons in Colorado.

01:56 PM -- Don Mielke, representing the Colorado Chiropractors Association, testified in favor of the resolution. Mr. Mielke testified that various therapies covered under the no-fault system were repealed and should be replaced.

01:57 PM -- Bonita Clark, representing herself, testified in favor of the resolution. Ms. Clark was involved in an auto accident and did not have health coverage at the time. She believes that her care was inadequate because she did not have health coverage.

02:00 PM -- Bill Imig, representing Property Casualty Insurers Association, testified in opposition to the resolution. Mr. Imig testified that the no-fault system was repealed due to the fact that it was too expensive and was not working efficiently. Mr. Imig testified that the tort-based system is working and rates have declined substantially. Mr. Imig added that his organization is willing to participate in a study. Mr. Imig opposes language in the resolution that draws conclusions regarding negative outcomes of the tort-based system. Mr. Imig responded to questions from the committee.

02:07 PM -- Chris Howes, representing Rural Metro Ambulance, testified in support of the resolution. Mr. Howes distributed copies of written testimony from Emergency Medical Service providers (Attachment A) to the committee.

02:09 PM -- Ellen Caruso, representing the American Physical Therapy Association of Colorado, testified in support of the resolution.

02:12 PM -- Kevin Klein, representing the Colorado State Fire Chiefs Association and the Coalition to Support Colorado's Hospitals, testified in support of the resolution. Mr. Klein provided written testimony from the Coalition to Support Colorado's Hospitals (Attachment B).

02:16 PM -- George Zara, representing St. Anthony's Hospitals, testified in favor of the resolution. Mr. Zara testified that his hospitals have seen an increased number of uninsured patients and he believes a major contributing factor is the change to the tort-based system.

02:19 PM

Representative Coleman made closing remarks.
BILL:HJR05-1026
TIME: 02:19:45 PM
MOVED:Coleman
MOTION:Moved that HJR05-1026 be referred to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed 11-0 with 2 excused.
SECONDED:Paccione
VOTE
Balmer
Excused
Borodkin
Yes
Butcher
Yes
Carroll M.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Knoedler
Excused
Liston
Yes
Massey
Yes
McCluskey
Yes
Paccione
Yes
White
Yes
Cerbo
Yes
Marshall
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS