House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor (04/29/2005)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Date:	04/29/2005	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:13 PM to 02:33 PM	Balmer	X
		Borodkin	X
Place:	HCR 0112	Butcher	X
		Carroll M.	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Coleman	X
	Representative Marshall	Knoedler	X
		Liston	X
This Report was prepared by		Massey	*
	Todd Jorgensen	McCluskey	*
		Paccione	X
		White	X
		Cerbo	X
		Marshall	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SJR05-036 HB05-1339 HB05-1346		Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to the Committee of the Whole Witness Testimony Only

01:13 PM -- Senate Joint Resolution 05-036

Representative Boyd presented the SJR05-036 which creates an interim committee to review health insurance issues, including network adequacy, rate-setting processes, and dental insurance. Representative Boyd responded to questions from the committee. Representative Boyd discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment A) which corrects a drafting error by replacing the word "Medicaid" with the word "Medicare".


BILL:	SJR 05-036
TIME:	01:15:41 PM
MOVED:	Marshall
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Cerbo
		VOTE
	Balmer
	Borodkin
	Butcher
	Carroll M.
	Coleman
	Knoedler
	Liston
	Massey	Excused
	McCluskey	Excused
	Paccione
	White
	Cerbo
	Marshall
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SJR 05-036
TIME:	01:16:06 PM
MOVED:	Butcher
MOTION:	Moved that SJR05-036 be referred, as amended by amendment L.001, to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed 11-0, with 2 excused.
SECONDED:	Paccione
		VOTE
	Balmer	Yes
	Borodkin	Yes
	Butcher	Yes
	Carroll M.	Yes
	Coleman	Yes
	Knoedler	Yes
	Liston	Yes
	Massey	Excused
	McCluskey	Yes
	Paccione	Yes
	White	Excused
	Cerbo	Yes
	Marshall	Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:17 PM -- House Bill 05-1339

Representative Marshall presented HB05-1339 which revises the statutes that govern the State Personnel Board. The revisions include authorizing administrative law judges to conduct hearings on matters within the jurisdiction of the Board; exempting petitions filed with the Board that result in an investigation from the 90-day review requirement; specifying procedures whereby a certified employee shall be notified of charges and right of appeal; and requiring a hearing to be held within 90 days rather than 45 days upon receipt of an employee's appeal. Representative Marshall responded to questions from the committee.

01:20 PM -- Rich Djokic, Director of the State Personnel Board, made himself available to the committee for questions. There were no questions.


BILL:	HB05-1339
TIME:	01:21:20 PM
MOVED:	Coleman
MOTION:	Moved that HB05-1339 be referred to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed 11-0, with 2 excused.
SECONDED:	Paccione
		VOTE
	Balmer	Yes
	Borodkin	Yes
	Butcher	Yes
	Carroll M.	Yes
	Coleman	Yes
	Knoedler	Yes
	Liston	Yes
	Massey	Excused
	McCluskey	Yes
	Paccione	Yes
	White	Excused
	Cerbo	Yes
	Marshall	Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:24 PM -- Recess

01:26 PM -- House Bill 05-1346

Representative Benefield presented HB05-1346 which allows health care providers to lower prices charged to health plans or to consumers in order to meet competition.

01:30 PM -- Len Kalm, representing Health One, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Kalm testified that the bill was brought by one hospital organization, Exempla Healthcare, to selectively reduce or eliminate copays at the Good Samaritan hospital in order to increase demand for the facility. He testified that Good Samaritan was built by Exempla specifically for Kaiser but now Exempla is interested in attracting other paying insurers. Mr. Kalm testified that many other states are trying to pass legislation similar to Colorado's current law which prohibits waiving or reducing copays and deductibles. Mr. Kalm testified that reversing this policy is regressive. He stated that copays and deductibles exist for many positive purposes including quality control. Mr. Kalm responded to questions from the committee.

02:02 PM -- Peg Brown, representing the Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Brown clarified that her testimony is on the broad policy implications of the bill rather than on the specific case discussed in previous testimony. She testified that copays and deductibles are important elements of a contract for health care coverage between an employer and employee. Ms. Brown responded to questions from the committee.

02:08 PM -- Rebecca Weiss, representing Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Weiss responded to questions from the committee.

02:27 PM -- Ms. Debbie Willi-Powell, representing Exempla Healthcare, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Willi-Powell testified that Good Samaritan hospital was excluded from other insurer provider networks. The hospital wants to be available to consumers in that area with health plans other than just Kaiser.

02:32 PM

Representative Cerbo informed the committee that members were needed in the House chambers. Testimony will continue for the bill on Monday, May 2 at 1:30 p.m. The committee adjourned.