Bill Summary for Bill Number HB09-1059

Date: 02/02/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1059

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved to adopt prepared amendment L.001 (Attachmen Moved to refer House Bill 09-1059 to the Committee	Pass Without Objection PASS

01:30 PM -- House Bill 09-1059

Representative Primavera presented House Bill 09-1059 which mandates that state regulated health insurance plans cover routine patient care for policyholders and their dependents participating in clinical trials. Representative Primavera described the specifics of the bill. Representative Primavera spoke to prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

01:36 PM -- Paul Wisor, Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Wisor explained the bill. He stated that some people are deterred from participating in clinical trials because their routine care is not necessarily covered by their insurance. He stated that the bill is modeled off of Medicare. He stated that 23 states have already passed a similar law. He addressed the fiscal note which states that there is a potential cost of $154,000 to the state. Mr. Wisor stated that he disagrees with the fiscal note analysis and that the number is difficult to arrive at. He stated that the bill is intended to save the state money. Mr. Wisor explained how amendment L.001 fits into the bill (Attachment A).

01:43 PM -- Dr. Timothy Vollmer, Medical Director, Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Society, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Vollmer spoke to the cost savings aspect of the bill.

01:50 PM

Two handouts, one from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Colorado Chapter and another from the Chronic Care Collaborative, were provided to the committee in support of the bill (Attachments B and C respectively).

01:51 PM -- Carol Sjerven, certified registered nurse, Veeda Oncology, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Sjerven read out loud to the committee several documents that are provided to cancer patients when considering participating in a trial study. She stated she would inform her patients not mention to an insurance company that they were participating in a study as the standard of care costs may not be covered, or at the minimum, would spark a debate with the insurance company with regard to paying for basic care. She spoke to the need for patients to participate in clinical trials, yet there is not much support for clients to do this for fear of losing their coverage. She stated that the bill does not require the insurance company to pay for anything outside of standard of care costs.

01:59 PM -- Jacquelyn Kilmer, Vice-President, Board of Directors, Colorado AIDS Project, testified in support of the bill. She stated that the individuals she represents have benefited for many years from clinical trials and the use of experimental drugs. She stated that the bill is fair and balanced, it does not ask insurance companies to do anything outside of what they should be providing according to contracts.

02:01 PM -- Susan Cox, Betsy Nugent, and Dr. Richard Veintimilla, Kaiser Permanente, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Cox stated that Ms. Nugent and Dr. Veintimilla run their clinical trials department. Ms. Cox stated that with the amendments, Kaiser Permanents supports the bill.

02:08 PM -- Ben Price, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in support of the bill with amendments. He stated that with amendments the bill follows the national Medicare model.

02:12 PM

Representative Riesberg stated that the bill has been sent to the Health Care Mandate Commission. He explained that the committee does not expect to hear back from the commission as the commission currently has four vacancies. He stated that there may be a report provided to the Senate Health and Human Services committee, if the bill moves forward.

02:12 PM -- Dana Dzwonkowski, American Cancer Society and Center Action Network, testified in support of the bill.


BILL:	HB09-1059
TIME:	02:17:30 PM
MOVED:	Primavera
MOTION:	Moved to adopt prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A). 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:	HB09-1059
TIME:	02:18:30 PM
MOVED:	Primavera
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1059 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