Date: 01/16/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1029

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The motion
Postpone the bill indefinitely. The motion failed
Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee on Ap		PASS
TIE
FAIL


03:29 PM -- House Bill 06-1029

Representative Lundberg, sponsor, presented the bill regarding Medicaid reform and distributed two background information documents to members (Attachments C and D). He discussed the need for Medicaid reform, estate recovery, and cost savings associated with the bill. He answered questions about how he envisions dollars to flow under his proposed legislation. He stated the essence of the program is to determine the level of service needed by an enrollee and for Medicaid to cover 50 percent of care. He answered questions about enrollees whose health care needs change. Representative Green discussed Medicaid's Home- and Community-Based Services program. She stated the program provides a variety of health care options for Medicaid enrollees.


03:46 PM

Representative Lundberg answered questions about how Medicaid enrollees might be able to afford to pay for half of their medical expenses. Representative Stafford stated her support for the bill. She asked about how the bill's provisions might be accommodated by the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). Representative Lundberg answered questions about cost-savings associated with the bill. He stated that if anyone enrolls in the proposed program, the state will save money. He also stated that if the bill passes, he will ensure that it is implemented by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Representative Reisberg discussed his concerns with the bill, including explaining the program to eligible seniors. Representative Lundberg discussed the proposed program's flexibility and opt-in and opt-out provisions. He answered questions about situations in which a spouse dies and leaves unpaid medical bills. He stated the federal government requires the state to pursue estate recovery after an enrollee, his/her spouse, and any other dependents die.


04:06 PM

Representative Berens discussed cost savings associated with the bill. Representative Lundberg discussed his belief that Medicaid limits enrollees medical choices. He stated Medicaid favors nursing home care over home- and community-based services. Representatives McGihon and Lundberg discussed medical services available to Medicaid enrollees. Representative Green discussed coverage of home- and community-based services by Medicaid and Medicaid eligibility criteria. Committee members discussed scenarios that may occur under the bill. Representative Stafford discussed the need for reform and meeting the state's fiscal challenges. Representative Lundberg answered questions about the bill's impact on estate recovery.

The following person testified.

04:26 PM -- Julie Reiskin, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, discussed the availability of non-nursing home care and the benefits of consumer-directed care. She gave examples of ways consumer-directed care saves money such as purchasing wheel chair kill switches available inexpensively at Radio Shack. She made suggestions for changing the bill or improving upon the current consumer-directed care program. She answered questions about family caregivers. Representative Stafford stated her support for consumer-directed care and enrollee responsibility in determining their care. Ms. Reiskin answered questions about how the bill might address prescription drug coverage and the needs of persons who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.


04:42 PM

Representative Lundberg made concluding remarks. He stated the decision on the bill boils down to giving seniors more options for care and allowing the state a way to save money. Representative Cloer moved and discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment E). Representative Lundberg stated his support for the amendment. Representatives Cloer and Berens discussed issues related to power of attorney.
BILL:HB06-1029
TIME: 04:49:31 PM
MOVED:Cloer
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The motion passed 8-4-1.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Clapp
Excused
Cloer
Yes
Green
No
Lundberg
Yes
McGihon
No
Riesberg
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Not Final YES: 8 NO: 4 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:50 PM

Representative Cloer moved and discussed amendment L.002 (Attachment F). Upon Representative Lundberg's request, the sponsor withdrew the amendment.


04:51 PM

Committee members discussed their positions on the bill.
BILL:HB06-1029
TIME: 04:59:04 PM
MOVED:Lundberg
MOTION:Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion failed 5-7-1.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Clapp
Excused
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: 7 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:HB06-1029
TIME: 05:02:12 PM
MOVED:Weissmann
MOTION:Postpone the bill indefinitely. The motion failed 6-6-1.
SECONDED:McGihon
VOTE
Berens
No
Clapp
Excused
Cloer
No
Green
Yes
Lundberg
No
McGihon
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
No
Sullivan
No
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
No
Boyd
Yes
Not Final YES: 6 NO: 6 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: TIE



05:05 PM

The committee adjourned.