Date: 01/26/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1116

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to adopt prepared amendment L.001 (Attachmen
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1116 to the Committee
Pass Without Objection
PASS



04:25 PM -- House Bill 09-1116

Representative Frangas presented House Bill 09-1116 which will remove a statutory ban on using General Funds for the Children's Dental Assistance Program. Representative Frangas addressed whether this bill requires the General Assembly to provide General Fund dollars to the program. He then outlined several issues with regard to a lack of dental hygiene for children. He also spoke to the current financing of the program. Representative Frangas spoke to amendment L.001 which would allow the Department of Human Services to request an appropriation from the General Fund that is equal to the reduction of a funding request for another program within the department (Attachment E).

09HouseHHS0126AttachE.pdf

04:34 PM --
Dr. Ned Calonge, Chief Medical Officer, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to the need for oral health and its connection to overall health. He stated that at this time, it is clearly not an option to use General Fund dollars for the program. Dr. Calonge stated that the department is in support of amendment L.001 (Attachment E). He stated that if a General Fund appropriation were to be made, that federal dollars would be used to expand the program. There was some discussion about whether allowing the Children's Dental Assistance Program to receive General Fund dollars that the General Assembly would be required, in the future, to make an appropriation for the program. Dr. Calonge clarified that the bill does not require an appropriation, but allows General Fund dollars to be used for the program.

04:56 PM --
Deborah Colburn, Executive Director, Oral Health Awareness Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She pointed out that Medicaid providers have been very difficult to keep and maintain in the program. She stated that one of the greatest barriers is getting kids to a primary care provider. She also commented that the program is cost effective and actually goes down with the more kids enrolled in the program. Ms. Colburn also provided some statistics of those who benefit most from oral health services.

04:59 PM --
Julie Collett, Executive Director, Kids In Need of Dentistry, testified in support of the bill.

05:01 PM --
Charlie Hebeler, Colorado Dental Association, testified in support of the bill.

05:02 PM --
Pat Ratliff, Colorado Counties, Inc. testified in support of the bill.

05:04 PM -- Tara Trujillo, Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.


05:05 PM

Representative Frangas provided a brief wrap-up on the bill. He stressed that the bill does not require an appropriation, but allows for General Funds to be used for the program, when and if funds become available in future years.
BILL:HB09-1116
TIME: 05:07:18 PM
MOVED:McGihon
MOTION:Moved to adopt prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Gagliardi
VOTE
Acree
Gerou
Green
Kefalas
Kerr J.
McGihon
Nikkel
Primavera
Swalm
Gagliardi
Riesberg
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB09-1116
TIME: 05:07:38 PM
MOVED:McGihon
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 09-1116 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 10-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Acree
VOTE
Acree
Yes
Gerou
Yes
Green
Excused
Kefalas
Yes
Kerr J.
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Nikkel
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Swalm
Yes
Gagliardi
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS