Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Date:01/23/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:39 PM to 05:17 PM
Berens
X
Clapp
X
Place:HCR 0112
Cloer
X
Green
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Lundberg
X
Representative Boyd
McGihon
*
Riesberg
X
This Report was prepared by
Soper
X
Whitney Gustin
Stafford
X
Sullivan
X
Weissmann
X
Frangas
X
Boyd
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB06-1045
HB06-1069
HB06-1103		Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Laid Over


01:41 PM -- House Bill 06-1045

Representative McCluskey, sponsor, presented the bill regarding reporting of hospital-acquired infections. He distributed three amendments: L.001, L.003, and L.004 (Attachments A, B, and C). Representative Cloer distributed amendment L.005 (Attachment D). Representative McCluskey discussed differences between HB 1045 and a similar bill that was postponed indefinitely in 2005. These differences include the qualifications of persons reporting data, the types of facilities reporting data, and the due date of the legislative report. Representative McCluskey discussed costs associated with hospital-acquired infections and described the provisions of his amendments. He answered questions about the National Healthcare Safety Network, criteria for infections targeted by the bill, the bill's applicability to health clinics, and use of the term "health facility." He stated the term was adopted in response to a request from an interested party.

The following persons testified.

02:01 PM -- Janet Stephens, Colorado Health and Hospital Association (CHA), spoke in favor of the bill. She stated CHA is committed to controlling infections and improving patient safety. She discussed CHA's support for use of the term "health facility." She discussed requirements for certification of infection reporting personnel and the burden that may place on rural facilities. She answered questions about smaller health facilities and distributed a summary document to members (Attachment E).








02:09 PM -- Laurie Griffith, Denver Health and Hospital, discussed her experience as a infection reporting professional. She stated legislation should support improved health services. She answered questions about infection control measures taken by health care facilities. Representative Berens read portions of the bill's fiscal note regarding reduced infections rates through data reporting. Ms. Griffith discussed the importance of specific strategies for reducing infection rates.

02:25 PM -- David Cassidy, citizen, discussed his experience losing a loved one who had been hospitalized and acquired an infection. He discussed the benefits associated with reporting rates of hospital-acquired infection. Representative Stafford discussed hospital-acquired infection and her belief that it prevents donation of the deceased's organs.

02:32 PM -- Ellen Parri, Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Centers Association (CASCA), described the bill as making significant strides toward reducing hospital-acquired infections. She discussed CASCA's efforts to report accurate and reliable infection data. Representative McCluskey answered questions about the experience and training of data collection and reporting personnel.

02:38 PM -- Dr. Connie Price, Denver Health and Colorado Health and Hospital Association, stated Denver Health's support of the bill. She discussed difficulties health facilities may face in hiring certified infection data professionals. She described specific qualifications of such professionals. These include two years of experience in infection control. Dr. Price discussed the importance of process measures in controlling infections.

02:49 PM -- Mike Kingsbury, SEIU Nurse Alliance of Colorado, discussed the numbers of hospital-acquired infections per year and the increased costs associated with infections. He stated public disclosure of infection data is the first step toward controlling rates. He distributed a copy of his testimony to members (Attachment F).

02:56 PM -- Carrie Curtiss, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, spoke in support of the bill.

02:56 PM -- Rex Wilmouth, Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG), stated CoPIRG supports the bill because it will make available information to help consumers make better decisions.

02:58 PM -- Susan Dolan, Children's Hospital and Association for Professionals in Infection Control, described definitions used in the bill as ones used by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Infection. She described certification and eligibility requirements for infection control professionals and waiver options available to certain professionals (e.g., rural professionals). She listed five locations where professionals can take their certification tests. She discussed the important link between data reporting and infection control process measures. She answered questions about waivers for educational standards for certified infection control personnel. Representative Lundberg discussed education and training requirements for professionals involved in infection control. Ms. Dolan discussed requirements placed on licensed health facilities.

03:16 PM -- Ellen Parri returned to the table to address questions about how the bill and its certification requirements might affect ambulatory surgical centers. She stated the work experience requirements will be a burden on surgery centers and some rural hospitals. She described infection control requirements for surgery centers.

03:21 PM -- Susan and Toni Zalatan, citizens, came to the table to testify together. Ms. Zalatan described their experience with a hospital-acquired infection. She described the bill as important consumer protection legislation.






03:34 PM

Representative McCluskey made concluding remarks. He stated costs associated with the bill are outweighed by the benefits. He answered questions about amendments offered on the bill. Amendments L.006 and L.007 were distributed by Representative Stafford (Attachments G and H).
BILL:HB06-1045
TIME: 03:38:49 PM
MOVED:Cloer
MOTION:Adopt L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Frangas
VOTE
Berens
Clapp
Cloer
Green
Lundberg
McGihon
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
Boyd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


03:40 PM

Representatives Reisberg and Weissman moved and seconded L.003. Representatives Stafford and Sullivan moved a substitute motion to adopt L.007. Representative McCluskey discussed costs associated with hospital-acquired infections. Members discussed the amendments.



















BILL:HB06-1045
TIME: 03:47:04 PM
MOVED:Stafford
MOTION:Substitute motion to adopt L.007 (Attachment H). The motion failed 5-8.
SECONDED:Sullivan
VOTE
Berens
No
Clapp
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
No
Lundberg
Yes
McGihon
No
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
No
Frangas
No
Boyd
No
Not Final YES: 5 NO: 8 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:HB06-1045
TIME: 03:47:59 PM
MOVED:Riesberg
MOTION:Adopt L.005 (Attachment D). The motion passed 9-4.
SECONDED:Weissmann
VOTE
Berens
No
Clapp
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
No
Lundberg
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Not Final YES: 9 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS






BILL:HB06-1045
TIME: 03:50:23 PM
MOVED:Stafford
MOTION:Substitute motion to adopt L.006 (Attachment G). The motion failed 6-7.
SECONDED:Lundberg
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Clapp
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
No
Lundberg
Yes
McGihon
No
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
No
Frangas
No
Boyd
No
Not Final YES: 6 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:HB06-1045
TIME: 03:55:05 PM
MOVED:Riesberg
MOTION:Adopt L.003 (Attachment B), as amended. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Weissmann
VOTE
Berens
Clapp
Cloer
Green
Lundberg
McGihon
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
Boyd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection




BILL:HB06-1045
TIME: 03:55:36 PM
MOVED:Boyd
MOTION:Adopt L.004 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Cloer
VOTE
Berens
Clapp
Cloer
Green
Lundberg
McGihon
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
Boyd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB06-1045
TIME: 03:56:12 PM
MOVED:Boyd
MOTION:Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 12-1.
SECONDED:Frangas
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Clapp
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
Yes
Lundberg
No
McGihon
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Final YES: 12 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS






03:57 PM

The committee recessed.


03:57 PM -- House Bill 06-1069

Representative Crane, sponsor, presented the bill regarding corporate practice of podiatry. He stated the bill allows a podiatrist to be employed by a corporation if certain conditions are met. These conditions include the corporation does not require a podiatrist to act against a patient's best interest.

The following persons testified.

04:08 PM -- Dr. Gregory Still, Colorado Podiatric Medical Association, stated the current restriction on corporate practice of podiatry was the result of an oversight.

04:10 PM -- Susan Cox, Kaiser Permanente, stated her support for the bill and discussed a 2005 bill allowing corporate practice of physical therapy.


04:13 PM

Representative Crane asked for a favorable vote on the bill.
BILL:HB06-1069
TIME: 04:14:21 PM
MOVED:Cloer
MOTION:Refer the bill to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 12-0.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Clapp
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Excused
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS









04:19 PM -- House Bill 06-1103

Representative Green, sponsor, presented the bill about residential care rental agreements. The bill specifically targets resident charges after the date of death. Amendment L.004 was distributed to members (Attachment I).

The following persons testified.

04:23 PM -- Arlene Miles, Colorado Healthcare Association, discussed standard nursing home policies regarding rent charges. She stated nursing homes do not lease their rooms. She discussed retirement center policies regarding rent reimbursement. Representative Green stated the bill was not brought as a political issue. Ms. Miles suggested changes to the bill, including eliminating the 12-point font, front page statement requirement and targeting entities that have lease agreements. Representative Riesberg discussed his interpretation of the bill. He stated that as a former long-term care facility admissions officer, his facilities had only month-to-month leases.

04:42 PM -- Jack Duffy, AARP, spoke in support of the bill. He stated the AARP is focusing on improving transparency for consumers. He described consumers' approach to long-term care contracts. It is an emotional time for families and sometimes they do not take the time to read contracts thoroughly.

04:51 PM -- Jayla Sanchez-Warren, Area Agency on Aging, Denver Regional Council of Governments, stated her support of the bill. Representative Stafford stated concerns regarding the bill's possible effect of creating more consumer problems.

04:57 PM -- Frank Lay, CARA, stated the bill may need some changes.

04:59 PM -- Laura Landwirth, Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, stated her support for the bill and other similar bills from past legislative sessions.

05:01 PM -- Marilyn Lang, Health Ethics Lobby for Patients, discussed reasons for introducing the original bill. She described her father's assisted living contract and costs charged to him after discharge.

05:07 PM -- Michael Drake, Colorado Senior Lobby, spoke in support of the bill.


05:09 PM

Representative Boyd pulled the bill off the table for action on Monday, January 30. The committee adjourned.