Date: 03/19/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1252

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 09-1252 to the Committee on ApproPASS



05:13 PM -- House Bill 09-1252

The committee reconvened. Senator Isgar introduced House Bill 09-1252. The bill authorizes the San Luis Valley County Commissioners Association to create a Local Access to Health Care Pilot Program to provide access to health care services to individuals employed by employers in the San Luis Valley. Legislation was passed in 2007 that created a similar program in Pueblo County.

05:17 PM --
Holly Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of Health Access Pueblo, described the Local Access to Health Care Pilot Program in Pueblo County. She stated the program has been enrolling individuals for 6 months and that some of the initial results are very favorable. She responded to questions from Senator Boyd and Senator Carroll regarding the enrollment in the program and the period of time for which the program is authorized. She responded to additional questions regarding the cost to individuals for participating in the program and how the program is funded. Ms. Hanson further responded to questions from the committee regarding the benefits offered through the program, the co-pays for services, and whether dependents can be covered under the program. Senator Isgar responded to questions from Senator Newell regarding the bill's reporting requirements.

05:39 PM --
Gwen Heller, representing San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center, stated that the region has experienced a growth in the number of uninsured individuals. She stated that there are some of the aspects of the Pueblo pilot program that appeal to interested persons in the San Luis Valley. She discussed the benefits of the pilot for the San Luis Valley. She responded to questions from Senator Boyd regarding whether it is premature to expand the pilot to other areas of the state prior to knowing the outcomes of the pilot in Pueblo. She responded to questions from Senator Boyd regarding the interaction between this bill and House Bill 09-1143, which allows health maintenance organizations to offer limited health benefit plans in rural areas. The committee discussed whether the plan authorized by House Bill 09-1143 would influence the program authorized under this bill, and the reporting requirements for each program.

06:07 PM --
Robert Hagedorn, Rio Grande County Commissioner, stated that the bill will help create a healthier population within Rio Grande County. He said the bill will help the hospitals in the area to obtain reimbursements for services and will help reduce the need for charity care.

06:12 PM --
Crestina Martinez, Costilla County Commissioner, described the San Luis Valley and the types of businesses that could benefit from the program. She emphasized that the supporters were not seeking state funding, just authorization to implement the program. She noted that the San Luis Valley County Commissioners Association supports the bill.

06:16 PM --
John Sandoval, Conejos County Commissioner, testified that the bill will benefit residents in the San Luis Valley.

06:17 PM --
Pat Ratliff, representing Colorado Counties Inc., testified in support of the bill.


06:18 PM

Senator Isgar gave concluding remarks regarding the bill.
BILL:HB09-1252
TIME: 06:19:06 PM
MOVED:Tochtrop
MOTION:Refer House Bill 09-1252 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 5-1 roll call vote, with 2 members excused.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Carroll M.
Excused
Lundberg
Yes
Mitchell
Excused
Morse
Yes
Newell
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Boyd
No
Final YES: 5 NO: 1 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS