Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Date:02/23/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:40 PM to 02:40 PM
Johnson
*
Mitchell
*
Place:SCR 352
Sandoval
X
Shaffer
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Traylor
X
Senator Hagedorn
Hanna
*
Hagedorn
X
This Report was prepared by
Elizabeth Burger
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Conf 06-Executive Director of Health Care Policy & Finan.
SB06-099
HB06-1180		Favorably Refer to the Full Senate
Postponed Indefinitely
Referred to the Committee of the Whole


01:40 PM

Steve Tool, candidate for confirmation as the Executive Director of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, described his background in the legislature and in private business. A copy of his resume and confirmation letter were distributed to the committee (Attachment A). He responded to questions from the committee regarding the major issues facing the department and regarding the Colorado Benefits Management System.
BILL:Conf 06-Executive Director of Health Care Policy & Financing
TIME: 01:49:57 PM
MOVED:Sandoval
MOTION:Favorably refer the name of Stephen Tool to the full Senate for confirmation. The motion passed 6-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Excused
Hagedorn
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



01:52 PM -- Senate Bill 06-099

The committee previously heard witness testimony on Senate Bill 06-099 on Wednesday, February 16, 2006. Senator Hagedorn announced that, because public testimony was not closed at the previous meeting, each side would be permitted 10 minutes to testify, but that the committee would not be permitted to ask the witnesses questions. Senator Evans distributed amendment L.006 (Attachment B) to the committee. He explained that amendment L.006 is a strike-below amendment that prohibits a physician from administering a vaccine containing more than a trace amount of mercury unless the physician provides his or her patient with information relating to possible effects of exposure to mercury prior to the patient receiving the vaccine. He responded to questions from Senator Traylor regarding information that is already provided to patients prior to vaccinations. Several documents regarding the bill were distributed to the committee (Attachments C through E).

02:00 PM -- Dr. Patrick Sankovitz, Colorado Family Physician, testified in opposition to the bill. He stated that the connection between thimerosal and autism is not scientifically proven and will bring confusion to the risks associated with vaccinations. In addition, the bill may affect the distribution of vaccines during pandemics. The bill introduces a significant cost and it is not clear who will bear the cost. He stated that amendment L.006 (Attachment B) will require a physician to communicate to patients a piece of medical information that is not agreed upon amongst physicians.

02:03 PM -- Dr. James Todd, Children's Hospital and American Academy of Pediatrics, testified in opposition to amendment L.006 (Attachment B) and Senate Bill 06-099. He responded to testimony given on the bill at the previous hearing and stated that the bill may dissuade parents from vaccinating their children.
02:09 PM -- Dr. John Koceva, testified in support of the bill. He stated that there is information that refutes the position that there is no casual link between thimerosal and neurological disorders. He stated that since thimerosal has begun to be removed from vaccines, vaccination rates have risen.

02:16 PM -- Dawn Winkler, Health Advocacy in the Public Interest, testified in support of the bill. She read a report discussing the toxic effects of mercury and thimerosal.

02:17 PM -- Teresa Wrangham, Autism Society of Boulder County, testified in support of the bill and discussed information previously provided to the committee. She stated that there is no problem in obtaining necessary quantities of preservative-free vaccines.


02:19 PM

Senator Evans gave concluding remarks regarding the amendment. Senator Traylor distributed a handout currently provided to parents of children who are going to be given the influenza vaccine regarding the dangers of thimerosal (a copy of the handout was not made available to staff). Senator Traylor responded to questions from Senator Mitchell regarding the information given to parents and what law or body required that the information be given. Senator Traylor responded that the informational sheet distributed to the committee was developed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but that she did not know what specific requirement doctors followed when distributing the information to parents.









BILL:SB06-099
TIME: 02:28:13 PM
MOVED:Mitchell
MOTION:Adopt prepared amendment L.006 (Attachment B). The motion passed 4-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
No
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
No
Hanna
No
Hagedorn
Yes
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
BILL:SB06-099
TIME: 02:29:04 PM
MOVED:Hagedorn
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 06-099, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed 1-6.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
No
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
No
Shaffer
No
Traylor
No
Hanna
No
Hagedorn
No
Not Final YES: 1 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:SB06-099
TIME: 02:29:42 PM
MOVED:Johnson
MOTION:Reverse the previous roll call vote and postpone indefinitely Senate Bill 06-099. The motion passed 6-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
No
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Hagedorn
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


02:31 PM

The committee recessed briefly.


02:35 PM -- House Bill 06-1180

The committee reconvened. Senator Kester introduced House Bill 06-1180 which repeals the Dental Advisory Committee that was authorized to advise and assist the Department of Public Health and Environment in the administration of the Children's Dental Assistance and Fluoridation Program. Senator Kester stated that the committee was never formed. He responded to questions from the committee.
BILL:HB06-1180
TIME: 02:38:48 PM
MOVED:Hagedorn
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1180 to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed 5-0-2.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Johnson
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Sandoval
Yes
Shaffer
Excused
Traylor
Yes
Hanna
Excused
Hagedorn
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


02:39 PM

The committee recessed.