Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Date:02/15/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:09:53 AM to 12:25 PM
Johnson
X
Mitchell
X
Place:SCR 356
Sandoval
X
Shaffer
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Traylor
X
Senator Hanna
Hanna
X
Hagedorn
E
This Report was prepared by
Elizabeth Burger
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
SB06-099
SB06-128
SB06-135		Witness Testimony Only
Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Referred to Appropriations


09:53 AM -- Senate Bill 06-099

Senator Evans introduced Senate Bill 06-099. Senate Bill 06-099 prohibits the administration of vaccines containing more than a specified amount of mercury to pregnant women and children under three years of age. He referred to a fact sheet regarding the bill (Attachment A) and distributed amendment L.003 (Attachment B). He responded to questions from the committee. A number of letters of support and handouts regarding the bill were distributed to the committee. (Attachments C through K).

10:00 AM -- Dr. Mark Johnson, Colorado Medical Society, testified regarding autism and vaccines. He stated that numerous studies have been conducted which have found no connection between autism and vaccines. He testified regarding the vaccines that would be affected by the bill and discussed the rates of vaccine-preventable diseases in Colorado.

10:05 AM -- Dr. James Todd, Children's Hospital, distributed two handouts to the committee (Attachments L and M). He stated that the hypothesis that thimerosal-containing vaccines cause autism is not supported by critical analysis of current data by objective experts. He further stated that concern regarding vaccine safety does not seem to be a major reason for failure to vaccinate in Colorado. Dr. Todd testified that thimerosal as a preservative is only a relevant issue for influenza vaccines and that thirteen of fourteen childhood vaccines already do not contain thimerosal. He responded to questions from the committee regarding federal Food and Drug Administration guidelines for the removal of thimerosal from vaccines. He further responded to questions from the committee regarding thimerosal and mercury in childhood vaccines.








10:21 AM -- Marti Sharp, Executive Director of the Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated that the bill perpetuates misinformation that vaccines are unsafe. She stated that the bill could potentially result in vaccine shortages and may increase the cost of vaccines.

10:23 AM -- Dr. Mary Maguire, Children's Medical Center, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated that thimerosal has no proven risk and passage of the bill will undermine the ability to promote vaccinations for children. In addition, limiting the availability of the flu vaccine could be harmful to children.

10:28 AM -- Susan Cox, Kaiser Permanente and Adam Jackson, Kaiser Permanente, testified regarding the implementation of a similar bill in California. Mr. Jackson testified regarding the availability of a flu vaccine that does not contain thimerosal. He stated that the bill would essentially required that doctors in Colorado purchase the vaccine from one manufacturer who has a limited supply of thimerosal-free vaccines. He responded to questions from the committee regarding why other vaccines can be made without thimerosal. Senator Traylor and Senator Mitchell discussed the differences between flu vaccines and other childhood vaccines.

10:37 AM -- Chris Urbina, Public Health Directors of Colorado, testified that the availability of the flu vaccine may be compromised if the bill passes and there is an outbreak of flu. Additionally, the bill perpetuates the myth that vaccines are unsafe.

10:42 AM -- Dr. H. Vasken Aposhian, University of Arizona, testified in support of the bill and regarding thimerosal. He referred to a handout concerning his presentation (Attachment J) and testified that there is no reason that thimerosal should be in vaccines. Dr. Aposhian responded to questions from Senator Traylor regarding the differences between methyl and ethyl mercury, stating that all forms of mercury are harmful to the central nervous systems of children. He further responded to questions regarding studies of the safety of thimerosal and the connection between autism and thimerosal.

11:05 AM -- Theresa Wrangham, President, Autism Society of Boulder County, testified that thimerosal should be removed from vaccines because there is a plausible connection between autism and thimerosal. She discussed the availability of thimerosal-free vaccines, stating that vaccine manufacturers will make thimerosal-free vaccines if there is a demand for them. She stated that there is no reason for thimerosal to be included in vaccines and that all forms of mercury are toxic. She further discussed the toxicity of thimerosal. Ms. Wrangham responded to questions from the committee regarding the level of mercury in flu vaccines. Senator Traylor commented on the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations regarding the use of thimerosal. Ms. Wrangham responded to questions concerning increases in diagnoses of autism and parental choice regarding vaccines. The committee discussed Ms. Wrangham's statements regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's recommendations for limited mercury exposure.

11:35 AM -- Sallie Bernard, SafeMinds, testified that there are no benefits to using thimerosal in vaccines. She stated that thimerosal is not an effective preservative, vaccines can may be made effectively without thimerosal, and the elimination of thimerosal in vaccines will not cause vaccine shortages in Colorado. She stated that the bill will promote vaccination because parents will be more likely to seek vaccination of their children if they are assured that vaccines are safe. She discussed studies of the effects of thimerosal.


11:46 AM

Senator Hanna pulled the bill from the table, stating that testimony and action on the bill will be considered a later meeting of the committee.







11:50 AM -- Senate Bill 06-128

Senator Owen introduced Senate Bill 06-128 and distributed two amendments to the committee L.001 and L.002 (Attachments N and O). The bill directs a nonprofit Colorado organization to submit a proposal to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing outlining a pilot program to coordinate care for Medicaid-eligible persons with a disability. The department must review the proposed pilot program and request the necessary federal authorization to implement the program if it finds that the pilot program meets the specifications outlined in the bill. He stated that the program developed pursuant to the bill will likely model an existing program for disabled persons in Boston, and that program has produced cost savings. He responded to questions from Senator Johnson regarding the definitions of rural and urban areas under the bill. He further responded to questions regarding funding for the pilot program.

11:55 AM -- Mark Simon, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and distributed two handouts to the committee (Attachments P and Q). He discussed the Boston program for persons with disabilities, stating that program saved $1,000 per client per month. He discussed the attributes of the nonprofit that will administer the program, stating that the nonprofit must be Colorado-based and governed by a board containing a majority of persons with disabilities on Medicaid or their familial representatives and advocates. He discussed how services will be delivered under the program.

12:00 PM -- Mike McCarty, Colorado Cross Disability Association, discussed materials previously provided to the committee and asked the committee to support the bill.

12:01 PM -- Dr. Barry Martin, Metro-Community Provider Network, distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment R). He stated that individuals with disabilities have difficulty accessing appropriate health care services and are prone to illnesses related to their disabilities. He discussed other states that have developed systems to improve care to disabled individuals. Dr Martin concluded that the bill will promote better care for disabled individuals, improve consumer satisfaction, and save money.

12:04 PM -- Dan Tuteur, Colorado Community Managed Care Network, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment S). He described the group that has been meeting to develop the bill's recommendations. He stated that a consumer-directed approach to health care delivery for the disabled promotes quality care and cost savings. He stated that funding for the pilot program has most likely been identified.

12:08 PM -- Kelly Stahlman, Family Voices of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and spoke to the importance of developing transitional programs that address the needs of children with special needs who will need long-term care in the future. She discussed the bill's fiscal note.


















12:11 PM

Senator Owen gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. He explained amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments N and O).
BILL:SB06-128
TIME: 12:12:09 PM
MOVED:Johnson
MOTION:Adopt prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment N). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Mitchell
Sandoval
Shaffer
Traylor
Hanna
Hagedorn
Excused
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:SB06-128
TIME: 12:13:14 PM
MOVED:Johnson
MOTION:Adopt prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment O). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Mitchell
Sandoval
Shaffer
Traylor
Hanna
Hagedorn
Excused
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:SB06-128
TIME: 12:14:08 PM
MOVED:Johnson
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 06-128, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 6-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Hagedorn
Excused
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


12:15 PM -- Senate Bill 06-135

Senator Owen introduced Senate Bill 06-135. A handout concerning the bill was distributed to the committee (Attachment T). Senate Bill 06-135 authorizes the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to use moneys from the Health Care Expansion Fund to pay for the costs of pregnant women with incomes between 185 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level enrolled in the Children's Basic Health Plan (CHP+) while the state is waiting for federal waiver authority to expand the eligibility for the program.

12:17 PM -- Melodie Beck, Joint Budget Committee Staff, responded to a question from Senator Shaffer regarding what costs the bill will cover. She explained that the bill uses state-only funds to cover the costs of providing care to pregnant women who were in enrolled in the CHP+ between July 1, 2005, and February 2, 2006. She further responded to questions from Senator Johnson regarding federal approval of the waiver to expand the eligibility of the CHP+ for pregnant women.
























12:22 PM -- Michele Hanigsberg, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to a question from Senator Mitchell concerning the drafting of the bill.
BILL:SB06-135
TIME: 12:23:45 PM
MOVED:Shaffer
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 06-135 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 6-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Hagedorn
Excused
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


12:24 PM

The committee recessed.