Date: 04/23/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1047

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Amend page 6, strike lines 6 through 14. The moti
Refer House Bill 09-1047, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS


01:53 PM -- House Bill 09-1047

The committee reconvened. Senator Williams introduced House Bill 09-1047. The bill establishes a pilot program to allow Medicaid clients with spinal cord injuries who are eligible for home- and community-based services to receive complementary or alternative therapies. Alternative therapies are limited to chiropractic care, massage, and acupuncture performed by licensed or certified providers. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing must apply for a federal waiver in order to implement the bill. She discussed the funding for the bill, stating that private organizations have committed to providing funds to cover the costs of submitting the waiver. She asked that an amendment be offered to remove the bill's appropriation. She responded to questions from Senator Boyd regarding funding for the bill, stating that the bill specifies that the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing does not have to submit the waiver until sufficient funds are obtained.

01:59 PM -- Artie Guerrero, representing himself, testified regarding his injuries, and stated that alternative therapies provide valuable therapy to persons with spinal cord injuries. He stated that the use of alternative therapies saves the state and federal government money by preventing other injuries and illnesses from developing. He responded to questions from Senator Carroll regarding how disabled individuals currently obtain needed treatments.

02:06 PM -- Chanda Hinton, representing herself, testified regarding the treatments she has received for her spinal cord injury over the years. She spoke in support of the bill.

02:12 PM -- Melissa Hernandez, representing herself, testified regarding her injuries and the alternative treatments that could benefit her recovery. She stated that providing alternative treatments to individuals with spinal cord injuries will reduce costs to Medicaid if the treatments reduce the need for pain medication. She responded to questions from Senator Newell regarding mental health treatment. She responded to additional questions from Senator Mitchell.

02:30 PM -- Mr. Guerrero responded to additional questions from Senator Carroll regarding the number of individuals in Colorado with spinal cord injuries.


02:32 PM

Senator Williams gave concluding comments regarding the bill.

BILL:HB09-1047
TIME: 02:34:31 PM
MOVED:Carroll M.
MOTION:Amend page 6, strike lines 6 through 14. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Carroll M.
Lundberg
Mitchell
Morse
Newell
Schultheis
Tochtrop
Boyd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB09-1047
TIME: 02:37:48 PM
MOVED:Carroll M.
MOTION:Refer House Bill 09-1047, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 8-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Carroll M.
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Mitchell
Yes
Morse
Yes
Newell
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS