Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Date:03/16/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:50 PM to 05:07 PM
Johnson
X
Mitchell
*
Place:SCR 352
Sandoval
X
Shaffer
*
This Meeting was called to order by
Traylor
*
Senator Hagedorn
Hanna
X
Hagedorn
X
This Report was prepared by
Elizabeth Burger
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Conf 06-Traumatic Brain Injury Board
SB06-208
HB06-1249
HB06-1269
HB06-1299
HB06-1277		Favorably Refer to the Full Senate
Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to Appropriations


01:52 PM

Christina G. Hoagland, Melissa Francis, A. Stewart Levy, Susan A. Parker-Singler, candidates for appointment to the Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Board, described their backgrounds and interest in serving on the board. A copy of their resumes and application letters were distributed to the committee (Attachment A).
BILL:Conf 06-Traumatic Brain Injury Board
TIME: 01:59:16 PM
MOVED:Sandoval
MOTION:Favorably refer the names of Christina G. Hoagland, Melissa Francis, A. Stewart Levy, and Susan A. Parker-Singler to the full Senate for confirmation. The motion was adopted 7-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Hagedorn
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




02:00 PM -- Senate Bill 06-208

Senator Hanna introduced Senate Bill 06-208. She explained that the bill creates a committee to study health care reform issues. She described the membership of the health care reform committee. She responded to questions from the committee regarding a similar bill that was considered by the legislature in the previous legislative session.

02:03 PM -- Dr. C. Rocky White, representing physicians of the San Luis Valley, testified in support of the bill and stated that the current system of health care financing is unsustainable. He stated that business leaders, health care professionals, and citizens are all asking for changes in the health care system and that the bill represents a first step toward health care reform. He stated that the bill permit allows a number of health care financing systems to be studied. He spoke to efforts that the Colorado Medical Society are undertaking to build consensus among Colorado physicians for health care reform.

02:09 PM -- Michele Lawonn, representing herself, testified regarding her concerns with the bill. She stated that the study should be implemented faster than the timelines provided in the bill. She testified regarding her concerns with the membership of the committee, stating that the committee should contain a representative who is a rehabilitation therapist, a representative of the Division of Insurance, and a representative of the disability community. She responded to comments by Senator Hanna regarding the membership of the committee.

02:15 PM -- Sheila Hicks, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, stated that the coalition has not taken a position on the bill, but asked that one or, ideally, two persons with physical or mental disabilities be members of the committee.

02:17 PM -- Dr. Elinor Christiansen, representing herself, testified regarding high cost of health care and the lack of access to health care treatment. She stated that the system is broken and that the state must find a way to work toward affordable health care.

02:20 PM -- Christine O'Connor, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and in support of universal health care.

02:21 PM -- Paula Stearns, Colorado Nurses Association, testified that the health and business communities are ready for significant and comprehensive changes to the health care system.

02:24 PM -- Michele Swenson, representing herself, testified that the current health care financing system relies on cost-shifting and that the high administrative costs of health care are not currently being addressed.

02:25 PM -- Bob Carlsten, Health Care for All Colorado, testified that many people fall through the cracks of the current system. He stated that the current practice of risk underwriting in health care is untenable and adds administrative costs to the system.

02:28 PM -- Christine O'Connor, returned to the table to encourage the committee to expand the membership of the health care reform committee.












02:28 PM

Senator Hanna gave concluding remarks regarding the bill.
BILL:SB06-208
TIME: 02:30:12 PM
MOVED:Johnson
MOTION:Amend page 4, line 27, strike "UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE" and substitute "ACCESS,". The motion passed 5-2.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
No
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
No
Hagedorn
Yes
Not Final YES: 5 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:SB06-208
TIME: 02:35:45 PM
MOVED:Hanna
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 06-208, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 6-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
No
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Hagedorn
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


02:38 PM

The committee recessed briefly.









02:45 PM -- House Bill 06-1249

The committee reconvened. Senator Takis introduced House Bill 06-1249. She explained that the bill permits a minor to authorize medical care related to the treatment of her pregnancy. She stated that some minors, such as emancipated minors, can currently authorize medical care for themselves.

02:48 PM -- Audrey Stempel, representing herself, testified that there is confusion regarding whether or not current law permits minors to authorize medical treatment for themselves for a pregnancy. This confusion may lead to situations where a minor is denied medical treatment when a parent cannot be found or does not authorize medical treatment for the minor. She responded to questions from the committee.

02:55 PM -- Larraine Guyette, American College of Nurse Midwives, discussed the provision of prenatal care and described the barriers that teens may face obtaining prenatal care. She stated that teens are at higher risk for low-birthweight infants and have a higher infant mortality rate. She stated that anything that will promote prenatal care for a woman in the first trimester will benefit women and children. She explained that pain management during labor is an invasive procedure and that parental consent must be given to administer pain medication to a minor in labor. Senator Takis responded to questions regarding the scope of the bill, stating that the bill is intended to encourage teens to get prenatal care as well as to ensure that minors can consent to the administration of pain medication during labor.

03:03 PM -- Judy Duran, representing herself, testified regarding her personal experiences with her teenage daughter's pregnancy. She stated that it is important for teenage girls to be able to receive prenatal care and to have someone to talk to, even if the teenager chooses not to tell her parents about the pregnancy.

03:05 PM -- Melodie Gonzales, representing herself, testified regarding her personal experiences with teenage pregnancy. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:07 PM -- Kate Horle, Planned Parenthood, described Planned Parenthood's program of prenatal care for teen mothers. She stated that low-birthweight births are common among teens and delays in obtaining prenatal care can cause health problems for the baby and the mother. She stated that many states currently allow minors to authorize prenatal care for themselves and distributed a handout to the committee regarding these laws (a copy was not made available to staff). She responded to questions from Senator Johnson regarding states that have a law permitting physicians to notify parents regarding a teen's pregnancy. Ms. Horle stated most of the laws described by Senator Johnson permit, but do not require, a doctor to discuss the pregnancy with a parent or guardian. Senator Takis responded to questions from Senator Johnson. Various committee members commented on state laws that permit doctors to discuss a minor's pregnancy with a parent or guardian.

03:20 PM -- Sharon Powers, Urban Peak, testified regarding the process that Urban Peak undertakes when a minor seeks medical treatment. She stated that the bill recognizes that there are situations in which minors need prenatal care or care during delivery and their parents are not available.

03:23 PM -- Tamika Payne, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, testified in support of the bill. She discussed statistics related to sexual assault in Colorado and testified that it is important to support victims of sexual assault. She responded to questions from Senator Mitchell. Senator Hagedorn asked Ms. Payne to provide statistics regarding sexual assault to the committee.









03:33 PM

Senator Takis drew the committee's attention to a document provided by the March of Dimes (Attachment B).

03:34 PM -- Father Carmody, representing himself, testified regarding his concerns with the bill, asking that the language of the title that specifies that the provisions of the bill are related to the intended live birth of a child be added to the substantive language of the bill. He stated that some persons seek prenatal care prior to abortions and that the bill may supersede state law requiring that the parents of a minor seeking an abortion be notified prior to the minor's abortion. He suggested that the bill be amended to require that a medical care provider make a good faith to involve a parent in the minor's medical care. He responded to questions from the committee. The committee discussed whether prenatal care may encompass abortion.

03:45 PM -- Sheila Hicks, representing herself, testified regarding her personal experiences with teenage pregnancy.


03:48 PM

Senator Takis gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. Senator Johnson offered a conceptual amendment that would authorize a caregiver to make a good faith effort to involve the minor's parents in the minor's medical care. The committee discussed the conceptual amendment.
BILL:HB06-1249
TIME: 04:05:15 PM
MOVED:Johnson
MOTION:Page 2, line 8, after the period, add "A MEDICAL CAREGIVER MAY MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO INVOLVE THE MINOR'S PARENTS IN HER MEDICAL CARE.". The motion failed 3-4.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
No
Shaffer
No
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
No
Hagedorn
No
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HB06-1249
TIME: 04:06:41 PM
MOVED:Mitchell
MOTION:Page 2, line 6, after "LAW,", insert "EXCEPT FOR ARTICLE 37.5 OF TITLE 12, C.R.S.,". The Chairman ruled that the amendment did not fit under the title of the bill.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Mitchell
Sandoval
Shaffer
Traylor
Hanna
Hagedorn
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Does Not Fit Under Title


BILL:HB06-1249
TIME: 04:09:33 PM
MOVED:Mitchell
MOTION:Amend page 2, line 8, strike "HERSELF." and substitute "HERSELF RELATED TO THE INTENDED LIVE BIRTH OF A CHILD.". The motion passed 4-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
No
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
No
Hagedorn
No
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:HB06-1249
TIME: 04:14:40 PM
MOVED:Hagedorn
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1249, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 4-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
No
Mitchell
No
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
No
Hanna
Yes
Hagedorn
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


04:15 PM -- House Bill 06-1269

Senator Tochtrop introduced House Bill 06-1269. The bill creates a nursing faculty fellowship program to fund qualified nursing faculty positions at Colorado schools of nursing. She discussed the nursing shortage in the state of Colorado and the need for faculty to instruct nursing students.

04:18 PM -- Paula Sterns, Colorado Association of Nurses, testified in support of the bill and discussed the difficulty in finding nurses to serve as faculty in nursing education programs.


04:19 PM

Senator Johnson asked a question regarding the fiscal note of the bill.
BILL:HB06-1269
TIME: 04:22:41 PM
MOVED:Hagedorn
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1269 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 6-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Excused
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Hagedorn
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


04:25 PM

The committee recessed briefly.



04:38 PM -- House Bill 06-1299

The committee reconvened. Senator Sandoval introduced House Bill 06-1299. The bill specifies that only businesses with a physical address that is in the state or within fifty miles of a border of the state may receive Medicaid payment for supplying durable medical equipment and disposable medical supplies. In addition, the bill permits an out-of-state provider to contract with an in-state provider of durable medical equipment or supplies.

04:40 PM -- Karlene Martin, Colorado Association of Medical Equipment Services, describe scenarios where persons who do not receive medical supplies from an out-of-state provider in a timely manner may face serious medical complications or be hospitalized. She testified in support of the bill.

04:42 PM -- Michele Longo, Colorado Association of Medical Equipment Services, testified that persons who have durable medical equipment needs do not always receive the a quality level of service from out-of-state providers. She testified in support of the bill.

04:46 PM -- Ms. Martin responded to questions from the committee regarding the necessity of the bill for disposable medical supplies.

04:48 PM -- Ms. Longo responded to comments made by Senator Johnson.

04:49 PM -- Susan Newcomb, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.


04:50 PM

Senator Sandoval gave concluding remarks regarding the bill.
BILL:HB06-1299
TIME: 04:50:51 PM
MOVED:Sandoval
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1299 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 5-1-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
No
Mitchell
Excused
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Hagedorn
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS












04:52 PM -- House Bill 06-1277

Senator Sandoval introduced House Bill 06-1277. She explained that the bill makes a number of changes to statutes governing the treatment of mentally ill persons. The bill changes language referring to persons with a mental illness and delineates the persons who may effect a 72-hour hold on a person with a mental illness. In addition, the bill established record keeping requirements for outpatient and inpatient facilities for persons with mental illness and defines acute treatment units. Senator Sandoval distributed two amendments L.011 and L.013 (Attachments C and D) and a memorandum regarding the fiscal note (Attachment E) to the committee.

04:58 PM -- Kyle Sargent, Division of Mental Health, testified in support of the bill.

05:00 PM -- Terry Fowler, The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People, testified in support of the portion of the bill concerning medical records.

05:00 PM -- George DelGrosso, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified in support of the bill.


05:01 PM

Senator Sandoval gave concluding remarks regarding the bill.
BILL:HB06-1277
TIME: 05:02:08 PM
MOVED:Sandoval
MOTION:Adopt prepared amendment L.011 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Mitchell
Sandoval
Shaffer
Traylor
Hanna
Hagedorn
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB06-1277
TIME: 05:02:59 PM
MOVED:Sandoval
MOTION:Adopt prepared amendment L.013 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Mitchell
Sandoval
Shaffer
Traylor
Hanna
Hagedorn
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB06-1277
TIME: 05:06:17 PM
MOVED:Sandoval
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1277, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 6-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Hagedorn
Excused
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


05:06 PM

The committee recessed.