Date: 02/20/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1212

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed 7-5
Adopt L.005 (Attachment J). The motion failed 5-7
Postpone the bill indefinitely. The motion failed
Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee of th		PASS
FAIL
FAIL
PASS


02:10 PM -- House Bill 06-1212

Representative Boyd, sponsor, presented the bill allowing pharmacists to prescribe emergency contraception (EC). She stated in another state where similar legislation has been implemented, abortion rates have dropped significantly. She distributed and discussed amendment L.001 to members (Attachment B). She stated just one drug (Plan B) is now used to prevent pregnancy after intercourse. Representative Stafford described information that she gathered indicating that three different drugs are used as EC. Representative Boyd stated Previn is no longer used as EC because it was found not to be as effective as Plan B. She stated that in most cases, Plan B prevents pregnancy by preventing ovulation. Representative Lundberg asked the sponsor questions about federal laws regarding the authority to prescribe drugs. Representative Boyd answers questions about whether there are age limitations associated with the bill. Representative Berens discussed his concerns regarding the lack of physician input when patients get EC directly from pharmacists. Representative Stafford listed side effects associated with Plan B. Representative Boyd stated common practice among pharmacists is to discuss drug side effects with patients. Representative Soper described scenarios where a doctor may not be available to prescribed EC within 72 hours. To be effective, EC must be taken by the woman within 72 hours.

The following persons testified.

02:39 PM -- Serenity Von Hassl, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. She answered questions about the bill's effect on teenage sexual activity.

02:48 PM -- Andrew Vezey, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. He discussed the bill's effect on the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). He discussed the relative effectiveness of abstinence compared to contraceptives. Representative Boyd described findings of a variety of studies regarding the use of contraception and teen sexual activity. She stated use of contraception has not been found to increase sexual activity rates. Representative Stafford discussed her work with men whose partners have taken action to prevent pregnancy. Mr. Vezey discussed a desire to be a part of the decision-making associated with pregnancy. Representative Riesberg discussed some men's approach to unplanned pregnancies.

03:00 PM -- Kati Stanford, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. She stated the bill condones sex before marriage. She encouraged the consideration of the emotional effects of having intercourse. She answered questions about emotional support required by persons seeking EC.

03:04 PM -- Angie Austin, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. She discussed her experience with assault. Representative Boyd responded.

03:17 PM -- Tom Longua, Colorado Right to Life, described the legal definition of pregnancy; at the point of implementation in the uterine wall. He stated much has happened to the zygote before it implants. He distributed a document to members (Attachment C). He answered questions about implantation of fertilized eggs, his medical background, and reasons for a national drop in the abortion rates.

03:28 PM -- Jonathan Butler, College Coalition for Relationship Education, spoke in opposition to the bill. He stated the bill will undermine efforts to promote abstinence and will allow men and women to pressure each other into having sex. He answered questions about how the bill will impact relationships among men and women and women's reporting of rape.

03:34 PM -- Esther Saforo, Teen Engage, spoke in opposition to the bill.

03:35 PM -- Cosette Davis, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. She stated teenagers are on a mission to gain strength. Teenagers are in fact the face of weakness. Representative Boyd stated studies show EC is not used by women as a regular method of birth control.

03:39 PM -- Tyler Scott, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.

03:41 PM -- Sue Rehg, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. She stated pharmacists cannot appropriately examine a patient as a health practitioner would before prescribing EC. She listed precautions associated with Plan B. Representative Boyd discussed laws in Missouri regarding EC.

03:47 PM -- Mistim Williamson, Pure by Choice, spoke in opposition to the bill. She stated the bill would promote promiscuity.

03:49 PM -- Diane Maywhort, Concerned Women for America, spoke in opposition to the bill. She distributed a document to members (Attachment D). She stated prescriptions without physician oversight will create a public health problem.

03:55 PM -- Dr. Carol Stamm, Colorado Gynecological and Obstetrical Society, spoke in support of the bill. She described failure of contraceptive methods. She described Plan B as safe and effective and discussed the importance of having EC available on nights and weekends. She stated Plan B meets the criteria of over-the-counter medications. She listed other states with similar legislation. She answered questions about medications that contain estrogen, the pill's effectiveness among different ethnic and racial groups, the effectiveness of Plan B, and the impact of Plan B on a fertilized egg. She discussed reasons why the Society supports increased access to EC. She stated the Society is willing to work with the Pharmacists Association regarding training on prescribing of EC.

04:18 PM -- Dr. Laura Hansen and Val Kalnins, Colorado Pharmacists Society, spoke in support of the bill. Dr. Hansen stated reasons for her support of the bill, including that EC is safe and effective and reduces the number of abortions. She described the permissive nature of the bill. She stated the Pharmacists Society expects to work with physician groups to implement the bill's provisions. She answered questions about pharmacists' authority to prescribe medications. Mr. Kalnins answered questions about potential costs to pharmacists and federal actions on EC. Dr. Hansen answered questions about potential effects of EC. Mr. Kalnins answered questions about pharmacists' continuing education requirements. Dr. Hansen discussed contraindications to use of EC. Mr. Kalnins discussed pharmacists' liability when given the authority to prescribe EC. He and Dr. Hansen answered questions about pharmacist training in responding to rape victims. Dr. Hansen discussed the variation of effectiveness among different ethnic groups, drug interactions with EC, and patterns of repeated use of EC. Mr. Kalnins discussed the process of prescribing medication. Dr. Hansen distributed a document to members (Attachment E).

04:54 PM -- Tamika Payne, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, spoke in support of the bill. She stated the bill will reduce the need for abortion. She stated the bill will not change women's decisions of whether or not to report a rape.

04:58 PM -- Dr. Elizabeth McCrann, Colorado Medical Society, spoke in support of the bill. She described EC's safety profile and stated that it is a very safe medication. She answered questions about how long it may be before EC is available over the counter. She described the passage of regulations to implement law.


05:06 PM

Representative Boyd answered questions about mandatory reporting of child abuse. Representative Cloer distribute a copy of Plan B's home page to members (Attachment F). Amendments L.002 through L.005. were also distributed to members (Attachments G through J).
BILL:HB06-1212
TIME: 05:08:23 PM
MOVED:Boyd
MOTION:Adopt L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed 7-5-1.
SECONDED:Weissmann
VOTE
Berens
No
Cloer
No
Green
Yes
Kerr
No
Lundberg
No
McGihon
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
No
Sullivan
Excused
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Not Final YES: 7 NO: 5 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


05:10 PM

Representative Cloer described L.002. Representative Frangas ruled L.002 did not fit under the title. Representative Stafford described L.004. Representative Frangas ruled L.004 does fit under title. He subsequently changed his ruling and stated L.004 did not fit under the bill's title.


05:14 PM

Representative Cloer described L.005. Members commented on the amendment.
BILL:HB06-1212
TIME: 05:17:54 PM
MOVED:Cloer
MOTION:Adopt L.005 (Attachment J). The motion failed 5-7-1.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
No
Kerr
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
McGihon
No
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Excused
Weissmann
No
Frangas
No
Boyd
No
Not Final YES: 5 NO: 7 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


05:19 PM

Representative Cloer described L.003. Members commented on the amendment. Representative Boyd stated there is no medical reason to restrict younger women's access to EC. Representative Frangas ruled the amendment did not fit under the bill's title.


05:23 PM

Representative Boyd made concluding remarks and stated increased access to EC will reduce the need for abortions. Members commented on the bill. Statements included concerns regarding the lack of physician involvement in prescribing EC. Other statements addressed issues related to rape and abstinence.
BILL:HB06-1212
TIME: 05:36:27 PM
MOVED:Cloer
MOTION:Postpone the bill indefinitely. The motion failed 5-7-1.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Green
No
Kerr
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
McGihon
No
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Excused
Weissmann
No
Frangas
No
Boyd
No
Not Final YES: 5 NO: 7 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:HB06-1212
TIME: 05:37:19 PM
MOVED:Boyd
MOTION:Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 7-5-1.
SECONDED:McGihon
VOTE
Berens
No
Cloer
No
Green
Yes
Kerr
No
Lundberg
No
McGihon
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
No
Sullivan
Excused
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 5 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



05:39 PM

The committee recessed.