Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Date:04/10/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:43 PM to 06:34 PM
Berens
X
Cloer
X
Place:HCR 0112
Green
X
Kerr A.
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Kerr J.
X
Representative McGihon
Lundberg
X
Riesberg
X
This Report was prepared by
Soper
X
Whitney Gustin
Stafford
X
Sullivan
X
Weissmann
X
Frangas
X
McGihon
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB06-1389
SB06-208
HB06-1395
HB06-1396		Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Laid Over
Amended, Referred to Appropriations


01:43 PM -- House Bill 06-1389

Representative, McKinley, sponsor, presented the bill regarding information provided to visitors to Rocky Flats. He distributed and discussed a packet of documents, including L.001 (Attachment A). Representative McKinley discussed a lawsuit brought by landowners located near Rocky Flats. Representative Berens discussed pollution of Broomfield's water supply.

The following persons testified:

01:59 PM -- Lorraine Anderson, City Council Member, City of Arvada, discussed her long-time work on Rocky Flats issues and distributed a copy of her testimony (Attachment B). She stated she is currently a member of the Rocky Flats Stewardship Council. She listed the membership of the council, including local governments. The council worked with Rocky Flats to close the facility. She asked that the committee allow the council to continue its work. She answered questions about reasons for her position against the bill. She discussed the impact on property values of signs warning visitors to Rocky Flats and issues related to plutonium radiation.









02:17 PM -- Chris DeKay, citizen, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a copy of his testimony to committee members (Attachment C). He discussed affects of exposure to plutonium, including negative impacts on male sperm. He described plutonium as very carcinogenic. He answered questions about sources he has used for his information. Representative McKinley and Representative Stafford discussed private property rights. Mr. Dekay stated his support for the bill.

02:27 PM -- Sara Engel, citizen, discussed affects of plutonium on the body when it is inhaled. She stated the affects are concentrated in certain parts of the body. She distributed a copy of her testimony to committee members (Attachment D).

02:29 PM -- Stephanie Hollister, citizen, stated the more she learns about Rocky Flats, the more concerns she becomes with the lack of public knowledge about pollution from the site.

02:31 PM -- Chloe Watkins, citizen, stated people have a right to know about the dangers of plutonium. She discussed plutonium dangers and its movement with water under the soil. Representative Stafford asked the witness about demonstrated affects of plutonium on people and animals living close to Rocky Flats.

02:35 PM -- Harvey Nichols, citizen, discussed the biology critical thinking class he teaches at the University of Colorado and the students who have come to the hearing today. He stated Rockwell, a Rocky Flats contractor, was found to have regularly allowed plutonium pollution to occur. He described his own findings regarding levels of plutonium emissions at Rocky Flats. He distributed a copy of his testimony to committee members (Attachment E). He answered questions about his support for signs posted about the Rocky Flats site and plutonium radiation. He described Rocky Flats as an area with one of the highest concentrations of plutonium.

02:47 PM -- Erin Hamby, Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, discussed support for the level of clean-up of Rocky Flats. She stated radiation from Rocky Flats is now thought to be worse than assessed in the past. She stated deer living around Rocky Flats had higher than normal radiation levels. She stated reasons for her support of the proposed signage.

02:52 PM -- Larissa Mulder, citizen, discussed plants' ability to bring plutonium to the surface through their root systems. She described creeks that move water from Rocky Flats to areas east of the site.

02:55 PM -- Sara Gershen, citizen, discussed the potential impact of Rocky Flats pollution on visitors. She quoted Thomas Paine.

02:57 PM -- Jack Johnston, citizen, spoke in support of the bill.



















02:59 PM

Representative McKinley discussed L.001.
BILL:HB06-1389
TIME: 02:59:37 PM
MOVED:Frangas
MOTION:Adopt L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection
SECONDED:Green
VOTE
Berens
Cloer
Green
Kerr A.
Kerr J.
Lundberg
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
McGihon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: The Motion Passed Without Objection.



























03:00 PM

Committee members discussed the bill.
BILL:HB06-1389
TIME: 03:04:07 PM
MOVED:Frangas
MOTION:Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 8-5-0.
SECONDED:Lundberg
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Cloer
No
Green
Yes
Kerr A.
Yes
Kerr J.
No
Lundberg
No
Riesberg
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
No
Sullivan
No
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


03:07 PM -- Senate Bill 06-208

Representative McGihon, sponsor, presented the bill creating the Health Care Reform Committee. Amendments L.006 (a strike-below amendment), L.007, L.008, L.010, L.011, and L.012 (Attachments A through K). Representative McGihon answered questions regarding why Representative Larson was no longer the bill's sponsor. Representative Massey discussed his work with a 2005 interim health care task force and the knowledge he gained about health care. He stated the availability of basic health services benefits everyone, and it is important to pursue comprehensive health care reform at this time. He answered questions about the work of other interim health committees and the necessity of the proposed committee. Representative McGihon discussed the work of previous studies and committees and compared it to the work of the proposed committee. Representatives Lundberg and Massey discussed the legislative declaration included in L.006. Representative Massey discussed ways to reduce the costs of health care.

The following persons testified:

03:43 PM -- Juanita Anderson, citizen, discussed her children's health care needs, costs of health care insurance, and their current lack of Medicaid coverage.










03:56 PM -- Gary Montrose, health care consultant, introduced a video illustrating national interest in health care. He stated the time has come for Colorado to take action on health care reform. He stated other states have recently passed health care reform legislation. He answered questions about other states' efforts to improve health care coverage for their citizens. He described Florida's recent health care reform legislation as politically conservative and market-based.

04:16 PM -- Sheila Hicks, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, stated her neutral position on the bill. She suggested having a mentally ill person and a disabled person sit as members of the Health Care Reform Committee. She stated in Colorado there is a problem with a lack of knowledge about available programs among citizens and case workers. Representative McGihon discussed L.006's committee membership.

04:22 PM -- Thomas Swanson, AARP, spoke in support of the bill and described the bill as a board-based path toward health care reform. He answered questions about AARP's position on market-based health care reform and proposals he anticipates coming from the Health Care Reform Committee.

04:27 PM -- Scott Thoempke, Colorado Behavioral Health Care Council, spoke in support of the bill. He recommended that a mental health care provider be added to the committee's membership.

04:30 PM -- Chris Hapgood, Mental Health Association of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. He described the pervasiveness of mental health issues.

04:33 PM -- Paula Stearns, Colorado Nurses Association, discussed consumer interest in Colorado health care reform.

04:36 PM -- Dr. Lynn Perry, Colorado Medical Society (CMS), spoke in support of the bill. She described CMS's members' interest in comprehensive health care reform. She stated incremental reform to the current health care system is unsustainable. She described her work on previous health care committees.

04:40 PM -- Carrie Curtiss, Colorado Consumer Health Care Council, spoke in support of the bill.

04:41 PM -- Jennifer Miles, Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved, discussed the number of Coloradans who are uninsured. She stated she expects the proposed committee will come up with viable options for reforming health care.

04:43 PM -- Francoise Mloubazi, Colorado Progressive Coalition, spoke in support of the bill. She stated her appreciation that the committee will include the consumer's perspective on health care. She stated her anticipated outcome of the committee is comprehensive health care coverage.

















04:47 PM

Representative McGihon made concluding remarks. She stated the bill is a bi-partisan effort with the goal of establishing the work of a health care reform committee, including a legislative recommendation to the General Assembly by 2007. Representative Massey described the efforts to limited the number of members of the health care reform committee. Representative McGihon discussed the anticipated $300,000 fiscal impact if L.006 is adopted. She stated the committee would be funded with General Fund dollars and through private foundation grants. Representative Cloer discussed amendments that will address mental health issues. Representatives Massey and McGihon described the funding sources for the bill. They stated they have strong commitments from two private foundations to help with funding.
BILL:SB06-208
TIME: 04:58:05 PM
MOVED:McGihon
MOTION:Adopt L.006 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Weissmann
VOTE
Berens
Cloer
Green
Kerr A.
Kerr J.
Lundberg
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
McGihon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:SB06-208
TIME: 04:59:19 PM
MOVED:McGihon
MOTION:Adopt L.007 (Attachment G). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Weissmann
VOTE
Berens
Cloer
Green
Kerr A.
Kerr J.
Lundberg
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
McGihon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:SB06-208
TIME: 04:59:53 PM
MOVED:McGihon
MOTION:Adopt L.008 (Attachment H). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Green
VOTE
Berens
Cloer
Green
Kerr A.
Kerr J.
Lundberg
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
McGihon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection





05:00 PM

Representative Cloer discussed L.011.
BILL:SB06-208
TIME: 05:00:49 PM
MOVED:Cloer
MOTION:Adopt L.011 (Attachment J), as amended. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Cloer
Green
Kerr A.
Kerr J.
Lundberg
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
McGihon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:SB06-208
TIME: 05:02:10 PM
MOVED:Riesberg
MOTION:Amend L.011 (Attachment J), line 5, after the comma, insert "drug and alcohol abuse counselors,".
SECONDED:Cloer
VOTE
Berens
Cloer
Green
Kerr A.
Kerr J.
Lundberg
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
McGihon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:SB06-208
TIME: 05:03:08 PM
MOVED:Cloer
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.012 (Attachment K). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Kerr A.
VOTE
Berens
Cloer
Green
Kerr A.
Kerr J.
Lundberg
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
McGihon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


05:05 PM

Representative Cloer proposed a conceptual amendment to include persons with physically disabilities in the bill's provisions. Representative Massey stated the bill is left intentionally vague to allow discretion in forming the committee. Committee members discussed their positions on the bill. Comments included concerns that the proposed committee is a step toward more socialized medicine and the committee is just one more legislative study of health care.





















BILL:SB06-208
TIME: 05:15:13 PM
MOVED:McGihon
MOTION:Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The bill passed 11-2.
SECONDED:Frangas
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
Yes
Kerr A.
Yes
Kerr J.
Yes
Lundberg
No
Riesberg
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
No
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


05:16 PM -- House Bill 06-1395

Representative Buescher, sponsor, presented the bill regarding residential child health care. He stated the bill's fiscal note has not yet been completed but he anticipates the financial impact will be approximately $10 million. A bill summary was distributed to committee members (Attachment L).

The following persons testified:

05:24 PM -- Steve Bates, Department of Human Services (DHS), spoke in support of the bill. He stated the bill is a result of a year-long collaboration among DHS, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, counties, and providers. The bill replaces the residential treatment centers (RTC) system with a new two-part system: fee-for-service and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities.

05:27 PM -- Barbara Drake, El Paso County Department of Human Services, spoke in support of the bill with amendments. She stated the bill will allow the state to better utilize federal Medicaid dollars and will greatly benefit children and families.

05:31 PM -- Dr. Skip Barber, a coalition of RTCs, stated the bill is meant to comply with a federal requirements and deadline.

05:33 PM -- Peg Long, Colorado Association of Family and Children's Agencies (CAFCA), stated her support for the bill's provisional therapist license. It allows an interim status to meet the federal deadline.









05:34 PM -- Gayle Fidler, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), stated her support for the bill with amendments. She stated concerns with provisional licenses.

05:35 PM -- Barbara Prehmus, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, spoke in support of the bill. She stated RTC's use of Medicaid dollars had come under scrutiny by the federal government. Representative Buescher clarified the bill's reference to the "board" is a specific reference to the Medical Services Board.


05:40 PM

Representative Buescher made concluding remarks. Representative McGihon stated action would be taken on the bill on March 12.


05:43 PM -- House Bill 06-1396

Representative A. Kerr, sponsor, presented the bill regarding grant funding for school-based health centers. He described the benefits of the health centers, including healthy children who are better prepared to learn. Amendment L.001 was distributed to committee members (Attachment M).

The following persons testified:

05:46 PM -- Barbara Ford, Colorado Association for School-based Health Care, described school-based health centers as very responsive to their communities' needs. She stated centers reduce reliance on Medicaid and emergency room visits. She stated all health centers require parental permission before children can access services. She described the impact of recent budget cuts on centers. Denver Health reduced the number of its school-based health centers as a result. She stated school-based health centers are concentrated in schools with high percentages of students who qualify for reduced-cost or free lunches. She described reproductive health services available through health centers. She stated the decision to offer contraceptives at a center is made at the local level.

05:57 PM -- Bridget Beatty, Denver Public Schools, spoke in support of the bill. She stated 67 percent of Denver students qualify for free or reduced-cost lunches. She described the centers as allowing parents to avoid taking time off from work and allowing students to miss a minimal amount of school time when in need of health care. She stated health center services include mental health, substance abuse, and vaccines.

06:02 PM -- Tara Trujillo, Colorado Children's Campaign, described the work and effectiveness of school-based health centers. She stated they help parents navigate the health care system and reduce visits to emergency rooms. School-based health centers' services include vaccines and mental health care.

06:05 PM -- Jan Johnson, citizen, discussed work done by school-based health centers. Representative Green discussed health centers' success are reducing asthma problems among children.

06:09 PM -- Ms. Ford returned to the table to address members' questions about mental health care services.








06:12 PM

Amendments L.002 and L.003 were distributed to members (Attachment N and O). Representative Frangas discussed the impact of budget cuts on health centers.

06:18 PM -- Debbie Haskins, Office of Legislative Legal Services, suggested technical changes to L.002.
BILL:HB06-1396
TIME: 06:20:33 PM
MOVED:Cloer
MOTION:Substitute motion to adopt L.002 (Attachment N). The motion failed 6-7.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
No
Kerr A.
No
Kerr J.
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
No
Frangas
No
McGihon
No
Not Final YES: 6 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HB06-1396
TIME: 06:24:46 PM
MOVED:Frangas
MOTION:Adopt L.003 (Attachment O). The motion failed 4-9.
SECONDED:McGihon
VOTE
Berens
No
Cloer
No
Green
Yes
Kerr A.
Yes
Kerr J.
No
Lundberg
No
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
No
Sullivan
No
Weissmann
No
Frangas
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 9 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


06:27 PM

Representative Lundberg distributed and moved L.004 (Attachment P).
BILL:HB06-1396
TIME: 06:28:33 PM
MOVED:Lundberg
MOTION:Adopt L.004 (Attachment P). The motion passed 7-6.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
No
Kerr A.
Yes
Kerr J.
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
No
Frangas
No
McGihon
No
Not Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:HB06-1396
TIME: 06:30:51 PM
MOVED:Kerr A.
MOTION:Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The bill passed 13-0.
SECONDED:Cloer
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
Yes
Kerr A.
Yes
Kerr J.
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


06:32 PM

The committee adjourned.