Date: 02/19/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1252

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1196 to the CommitteePASS



02:47 PM -- House Bill 09-1252

Representative Roberts presented House Bill 09-1252 which establishes a pilot program in the San Luis Valley, Colorado that is similar to the pilot program that was established under House Bill 07-1022 that created the Local Access to Health Care Pilot Program in Pueblo, Colorado. She stated that witnesses will testify as to the nature of the pilot program in the San Luis Valley.

02:49 PM -- Chris Adams, The Adams Group, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Adams explained the establishment of the Local Access to Health Care Pilot Program in Pueblo. He stated that many individuals, such as restaurant workers, or other low-income individuals that do not qualify for Medicaid, need access to health care, but cannot afford it. He stated that the pilot program is modeled off a similar program in Michigan called Access Health. He stated that the program is not a health insurance program, but is a non-profit coverage plan providing health care access. He explained that the program in Pueblo is administered through the county commissioner's association. He stated that this bill expands the program to the San Luis Valley area. Mr. Adams explained how coverage, financing, and benefits are provided under the bill. He also provided an explanation to the committee as to why the program is not considered health insurance. Some members expressed concern that the bill was similar to a limited benefit plan. Mr. Adams stated that the premium is less costly than a limited benefit plan. Mr. Adams responded to committee questions regarding the impacts and results of the Health Access pilot program in Pueblo and the Access Health in Michigan.

03:25 PM -- Gwen Heller, San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Heller spoke to the geographical and economic diversity in the San Luis Valley. She stated that the small group market has a large presence in the community. She stated that approximately 25 percent of the population is uninsured and considered the working poor according to federal poverty levels. Ms. Heller stated that the pilot program is expected to serve approximately 4,800 individuals in the San Luis Valley. Ms. Heller spoke to the unique situation in rural communities and that a health assistance program is needed in the area. She stated that the Colorado Access Trust has indicated it will provide a grant to get the program off the ground.

03:48 PM -- Russ Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, San Luis Medical Center, spoke in support of the bill. He concurred with previous testimony. He emphasized the lack of access to health insurance is a significant problem. He stated that individuals everyday are using emergency rooms as their primary care physicians. He addressed Representative McGihon's concerns about increasing the underinsured by stated that the bill prohibits individuals who are currently insured from leaving their plan to join the program.

04:05 PM -- Greg Glischinski, American Association of Retired People (AARP), spoke in support of the bill. He stated he is a small business owner and asked the committee to consider the bill. He stated that the bill will benefit the business community.


04:09 PM

Representative Roberts provided a wrap-up to the bill. She provided information from the Health Access pilot program in Pueblo. Representative Roberts emphasized that rural communities are uniquely situated communities and that the bill is the communities attempt at coming up with a local solution. She emphasized that the bill is a community effort where providers are coming to the table saying they want to participate. She stated that the intent of the pilot program is to increase access to health care. She reiterated that there is no cost to the state and that something is better than nothing.
BILL:HB09-1252
TIME: 04:19:26 PM
MOVED:Swalm
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 09-1196 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 8-2 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Gerou
VOTE
Acree
Yes
Gerou
Yes
Green
Yes
Kefalas
Yes
Kerr J.
Yes
McGihon
No
Nikkel
Yes
Primavera
No
Swalm
Yes
Gagliardi
Excused
Riesberg
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 2 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS