Date: 04/27/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB06-004

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer SB 06-004 to the Committee of the Whole. ThPASS


01:56 PM -- Senate Bill 06-004

Representative Butcher, prime sponsor of SB 06-004, explained why the bill was recommended by the Health Care Task Force, including potential cost savings and a reduction of security risks. The bill requires the Colorado Department of Corrections to study the state's options for providing medical services to inmates in state prisons via telemedicine (the delivery of medical services, including diagnosis, consultation, and treatment, using interactive telecommunications). In addition, the bill specifies what the report must address, and when and to whom the report must be presented. Representative Butcher responded to questions from the committee regarding why the bill authorizes a study and does not just direct the department to start using telemedicine, and the potential to use teleconferencing for inmate visitation.

The following people testified on the bill:

02:09 PM -- Dr. Cary Shames, representing the Department of Corrections (DOC), spoke in support of the bill. He stated that the study will enable them to offer medical care in all areas of the state at a lower cost, in a timely manner, and with fewer risks (including security). He responded to comments and questions from the committee about the need for and the application of the bill.

02:18 PM -- Dr. Allan Liebgott, representing Denver Health Medical Center, spoke in support of the bill. He described his experience and how telemedicine would have a positive impact on health care by reducing costs and the number of office visits. He indicated that the study would provide a third party recommendation regarding the use of telemedicine in the DOC, which would have more weight than an internal recommendation from the DOC to use telemedicine.


02:22 PM

The chairman closed public testimony. No amendments were offered by the committee or the bill sponsor. Representative Butcher made closing comments on the bill.
BILL:SB06-004
TIME: 02:24:45 PM
MOVED:Hefley
MOTION:Refer SB 06-004 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion carried on a vote of 10-0-1.
SECONDED:McGihon
VOTE
Clapp
Yes
Decker
Yes
Gardner
Yes
Hefley
Yes
Jahn
Yes
Judd
Yes
Kerr A.
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Witwer
Yes
Carroll M.
Excused
Carroll T.
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS