Date: 03/15/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1367

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt L.001 (Attachment C). The motion passed wit
Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee of Wh
Substitute motion to postpone the bill indefinitel		Pass Without Objection
TIE
PASS


12:27 PM -- House Bill 06-1367

Representative Boyd, sponsor, presented the bill repealing and reenacting the Nursing Peer Health Assistance Program with certain changes. She stated the bill will create consistency among the different health professionals' peer assistance programs.

The following persons testified.

12:31 PM -- Susan Miller, Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners, discussed the differences between the current diversion program and the proposed employee assistance program (EAP) model. The EAP model addresses all types of problems health care professionals may be experiencing, not just substance abuse issues. Family members of licensees are also eligible for help through the EAP model. Representative Cloer discussed a recent favorable review of the current nurse assistance program. Ms. Miller stated her support for a broad approach to health care professional peer assistance. She stated the current nurse peer assistance program is too narrow in its approach and may be missing the opportunity to help nurses who are experiencing problems that are not related to substance abuse. She discussed her 12 years working for the State Board of Medical Examiners.

12:49 PM -- Dr. Trey Causey, Colorado Nurse Health Program (CNHP), spoke in opposition to the bill. He stated his position as one of "if its not broke, don't fix it."

12:54 PM -- Jeremy Still, citizen, described his experience with CNHP.

12:58 PM -- Margie Derozier, Executive Director, CNHP, spoke in opposition to the bill. She described the bill as raising costs to nurses. She stated that like Colorado's CNHP, most states have alternative-to-decipline programs. She described the personal issues faced by nurses enrolled in the CNHP program. She stated the bill will limit the number of entities that may bid to carry out the peer assistance program and cause a disruption of services to nurses in need.

01:12 PM -- Diane Bialkowski, CNHP, described her professional experience with substance abuse and mental health treatment. She stated the bill eliminates critical elements of the nurse peer program, including an external review process. She described CNHP as an evidence-based program of high integrity. She answered questions about possible retribution for her testimony and the processes of psycho-education.

01:25 PM -- Leslie Ranniger, CNHP, discussed her work as an attorney for CNHP. She stated the bill's provisions are not consistent with current peer assistance programs for other licensed professionals. She described peer assistance programs. Ms. Ranniger and Representative Boyd discussed possible changes to the bill.

01:32 PM -- Paula Stearns, Colorado Nurses Association, spoke in support of the bill. She stated that the Association has been neutral on similar bills in past years. She stated open bidding by diversion programs may allow more information to be provided to the public. She answered questions about fees charged to nurses and possible risks to public safety,

01:37 PM -- Jeffrey Downing, Peer Assistance Services, Inc., spoke in support of the bill. He stated Peer Assistance Services, Inc., would like the opportunity to bid to provide the state's peer nurse assistance program. He answered questions about the types of professionals his company provides assistance to, criteria for competitive bidding, and loopholes in current law. He described these loopholes to include a lack of services for nurses whose problems fall outside the scope of CNHP's services.

01:49 PM -- Carmelita Muniz, Colorado Association of Alcohol and Drug Service Providers, spoke in support of the bill. She stated the current nurse peer assistance program does not serve the wide range of issues faced by nurses. Committee members discussed dilemmas they feel they are facing on the bill. Ms. Muniz stated the bill offers the opportunity to expand the breadth of service to nurses.

02:03 PM -- Rose McCool, Department of Regulatory Agencies, addressed committee members' questions. She stated her concerns with CNHP representatives' opposition to the bill. She answered questions about the expected request for proposal (RFP) if the bill passes. Representative Boyd answered questions about reasons for the bill's late bill status. She stated its status was not due to late action by the Department. Ms. McCool discussed current statutory provisions for other health professionals peer assistance programs.


02:17 PM

Representative Weissmann distributed and discussed L.001 (Attachment C).
BILL:HB06-1367
TIME: 02:18:03 PM
MOVED:Weissmann
MOTION:Adopt L.001 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Cloer
VOTE
Berens
Cloer
Green
Kerr
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:HB06-1367
TIME: 02:18:23 PM
MOVED:Boyd
MOTION:Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee of Whole.
SECONDED:Weissmann
VOTE
Berens
Cloer
Green
Kerr
Lundberg
McGihon
Riesberg
Soper
Stafford
Sullivan
Weissmann
Frangas
Boyd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: TIE


BILL:HB06-1367
TIME: 02:18:42 PM
MOVED:Cloer
MOTION:Substitute motion to postpone the bill indefinitely. The motion passed 7-6.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
No
Kerr
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
No
Frangas
No
Boyd
No
Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



02:21 PM

The committee adjourned.