Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Date:01/15/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:34 PM to 05:13 PM
Acree
X
Gerou
A
Place:LSB A
Green
E
Kefalas
A
This Meeting was called to order by
Kerr J.
X
Representative Riesberg
McGihon
E
Primavera
X
This Report was prepared by
Swalm
X
Kelly Stapleton
Gagliardi
X
Riesberg
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Provider Groups-


01:34 PM -- Provider Groups

Representative Riesberg provided introductory remarks. He stated that the committee will be hearing from various providers that come before the Health and Human Services committee. He noted that it was the second of two hearing where the committee heard from various interest groups. See the committee summary from January 12, 2009 to review interest groups from the first hearing.


01:38 PM

Janet Fox Stephens, Vice-President of Government Affairs, Colorado Hospital Association, introduced herself to the committee. She introduced her team of contract lobbyists. She provided a packet of information that includes their legislative priorities (Attachment A). Ms. Stephens pointed out a chart that illustrates regulation on hospitals. She stated that they have approximately 90 hospitals in both the rural and metro area who are members of the Colorado Hospital Association. Ms. Stephens spoke about the provider fee proposal that will draw down additional funds.

09HouseHHS0115AttachA.pdf












01:44 PM

Elbra Wedgeworth, Chief Policy Officer, Denver Health, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout to the committee and stated that Denver Health is the cities main safety net hospital (Attachment B). She briefly spoke to some of the programs that the hospital offers. Ms. Wedgeworth introduced Jake Allen, the hospital's lobbyist.

09HouseHHS0115AttachB.pdf

01:49 PM

Dr. Ben Vernon, President, Colorado Medical Society, introduced himself to the committee. He pointed out Edie Sonn who is the association's lobbyist. Dr. Vernon provided a handout to the committee that described the organization's mission and legislative priorities (Attachment C).

09HouseHHS0115AttachC.pdf

01:55 PM

Suzanne Hamilton, Emergency Physicians, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout on the project "The National Report Card on the State of Emergency Medicine" (Attachment D). Ms. Hamilton highlighted various aspects of the study including sections that address access to care, quality and patient safety, and public health prevention.

09HouseHHS0115AttachD.pdf

01:58 PM

Raquel Alexander, Executive Vice President, Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, introduced herself to the committee. Ms.Alexander provided a one page informational sheet to the committee describing the organization's mission (Attachment E).

09HouseHHS0115AttachE.pdf













02:02 PM

Vicki Colwart, President, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout to the committee that describes the mission of the organization (Attachment F). Ms. Colwart stated that Planned Parenthood partners with public health department through the Women's Wellness Connection program which provides cancer screenings. She also highlighted that Planned Parenthood has several clinics in rural communities including Cortes and La Juanta. She pointed out the Fofi Mendez is their contract lobbyist.

09HouseHHS0115AttachF.pdf

02:08 PM

Jean Greenberg, social worker, National Association of Social Workers, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a one page informational sheet to the committee describing the organization's mission (Attachment G). Mr. Greenberg spoke to House Bill 09-1086, which, if passed, would license social workers.

09HouseHHS0115AttachG.pdf

02:13 PM

Polly Anderson, Policy Directory, Colorado Community Health Network, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Anderson stated that community health centers are non-profit or public health care providers throughout Colorado. She stated that in many cases, the community health centers are the only place where primary care physicians are accessible. Ms. Anderson provided a brochure to the committee describing the community network services (Attachment H).

09HouseHHS0115AttachH.pdf

02:17 PM

Rita Bean, President, Public Health Nurses Association of Colorado, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Bean spoke to the organization's mission and described some of the programs it offers. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment I). She also highlighted that the association will be actively participating in the sunset review of the Nurse Practice Act.

09HouseHHS0115AttachI.pdf










02:22 PM

Dr. Mark B. Johnson, President, Jefferson County Public Health Department, speaking on behalf of the Public Health Directors Colorado. Dr. Johnson spoke to Senate Bill 08-194 which was passed during the 2008 legislative session. The bill is a comprehensive reorganization of the state's public health departments. A handout was provided to the committee regarding the organization's mission and legislative priorities (Attachment J). Dr. Johnson stated that the organization's lobbyist is Jennifer Miles.

09HouseHHS0115AttachJ.pdf

02:24 PM

Dr. Lisa VanBramer, Director of Public Health Policy, Colorado Public Health Association, introduced herself to the committee. Dr. VanBramer stated that the organization has come under the umbrella organization of the Public Health Alliance of Colorado. Two handouts were provided to the committee describing Colorado Public Health Association's mission and legislative priorities and a diagram of groups associated with the Public Health Alliance of Colorado (Attachments K and L respectively).

09HouseHHS0115AttachK.pdf 09HouseHHS0115AttachL.pdf

02:28 PM

Carrie Cortiglio, Policy Analyst, Health District of Norther Larimer County, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Cortiglio described some of the services that the health district offers. She also provided a handout to the committee describing the health district's activities and the organization's policy goals (Attachment M).

09HouseHHS0115AttachM.pdf

02:34 PM

Charlie Hebeler, lobbyist, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a list of her clients which includes the Colorado Athletic Trainers Association, the Colorado Academy of Audiology, the Colorado Dental Association, the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority - Colorado Chapter, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Colorado Nurses Association, and the Colorado Alliance of YMCA's (Attachment N). Ms. Hebeler pointed out some of the legislative goals of her clients.

09HouseHHS0115AttachN.pdf









02:39 PM

Charlie Hebeler, lobbyist, Colorado Nurses Association, stated that the Nurse Practice Act is up for sunset review. She described several different types of nurses and stated that several interest groups are currently discussing various aspects of the sunset review.


02:44 PM

Jennie Hensley and Aleece Patterson, American College of Nurse Midwives, introduced themselves to the committee. Ms. Patterson described nurse-midwives and provided a handout to the committee with the organization's mission (Attachment O). Ms. Patterson also described several services that nurse-midwives provide.

09HouseHHS0115AttachO.pdf

02:48 PM

Pat Ratliff, lobbyist, Colorado Association of Nurse Anesthetists, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout to the committee that describes the organization's mission (Attachment P). Ms. Ratliff also spoke to the sunset review of the Nurse Practice Act.

09HouseHHS0115AttachP.pdf

02:51 PM

Charlie Hebeler and Suzanne Hamilton, Colorado Dental Association, stated they are not initiating any kind of legislation this year on behalf of the association. Ms. Hamilton pointed out that dental care is an integral part of over health. Ms. Hebeler stated that this year's dental fair will be September 10-13, 2009 in Adams County.


02:54 PM

Jackie Alexander, President, Colorado Dental Hygienists Association, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Alexander pointed out Dianna Orf, Bestsy Murray, and Kathy Oatis, as the organization's contract lobbyists. Ms. Alexander provided a handout to the committee on the organization's mission (Attachment Q).

09HouseHHS0115AttachQ.pdf












02:58 PM

Deborah Costin, Executive Director, Colorado Association for School-Based Health Centers, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Costin provided several handouts to the committee including a directory of school-based health centers, the mission of the organization, and the benefits of school-based health centers (Attachments R, S, and T respectively).

09HouseHHS0115AttachR.pdf 09HouseHHS0115AttachS.pdf

09HouseHHS0115AttachT.pdf

03:03 PM

Arlene Miles, President, Colorado Health Care Association, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a 2009 directory to the committee which lists association information, consumer information, membership directory, legislative and government information (Attachment U). Ms. Miles provided a handout to the committee with information on the association (Attachment V).

09HouseHHS0115AttachU.pdf 09HouseHHS0115AttachV.pdf

03:06 PM

Janice Hinds, President, Colorado Association of Occupational Therapists, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Hinds described occupational therapists activities and who they help. Ms. Hinds provided a handout to the committee describing the organization's mission (Attachment W).

09HouseHHS0115AttachW.pdf

03:07 PM

Ellen Caruso, Executive Director, and Betsy Murray, lobbyist, American Physical Therapy Association - Colorado Chapter, introduced themselves to the committee. Ms. Caruso provided a copy of "What You Need to Know About Neck Pain" to the committee (Attachment X). She also provided a handout on the association's mission to the committee (Attachment Y).

09HouseHHS0115AttachX.pdf 09HouseHHS0115AttachY.pdf








03:12 PM

Ellen Caruso, Executive Director, and Betsy Murray, lobbyist, Home Care Association of Colorado, spoke about the organization and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment Z). Ms. Caruso pointed out their concern over the licensure fees which range from $1,500 to $4,000 dollars. She stated that rural providers which are usually smaller companies cannot afford the fees, putting further pressure on those communities.

09HouseHHS0115AttachZ.pdf

03:17 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


03:28 PM

Julie Hoerner, Signal Behavioral Health, introduced herself to the committee. She stated that Signal Behavioral Health is a non-profit managed service organization which administers Colorado's public substance abuse treatment funds. Ms. Hoerner provided a handout to the committee with information on the organization (Attachment AA).

09HouseHHS0115AttachAA.pdf

03:32 PM

BJ Iacino, Director of Education and Advice, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Iacino provided two handouts to the committee, the 2007 Annual Report from the coalition and a one page informational sheet (Attachments BB and CC respectively). Ms. Iacino also explained several services that the coalition provides to the community including respite care, housing, and food distribution. Ms. Iacino stated that the number of homeless individuals has gone up approximately 20 percent. She stated some cities around the country are reporting an increase of 60 percent. She stated that she is extremely concerned that donation dollars will dry up due to the economic downturn.

09HouseHHS0115AttachBB.pdf 09HouseHHS0115AttachCC.pdf















03:42 PM

Regina Richards, Executive Director, Project Wise, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Richards provided a handout to the committee with the organization's mission (Attachment DD). Ms. Richards stated the program offers mental health counseling and education to assist individuals for job readiness, job retention, and job advancement.

09HouseHHS0115AttachDD.pdf

03:49 PM

Daniele Wolff, Addiction Research and Treatment Services - Baby Haven, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout to the committee describing the treatment model of Baby Haven (Attachment EE). She stated that Baby Haven is a 12 to 18 month residential Modified Therapeutic Community which treats women with chronic substance abuse dependence.

09HouseHHS0115AttachEE.pdf

03:53 PM

Monique Whalen, Executive Director, Drop-In Center, and President, Public Health Awareness Task Force, introduced herself to the committee. She stated the Public Health Awareness Task Force is trying to initiative legislation that would amend Colorado's paraphernalia law to allow for a syringe exchange program. A handout "Why Amend Colorado's Current Paraphernalia Law?" was provided to the committee (Attachment FF). She stated that approximately 80 percent of IV drug users using needles have Hepatitis C.

09HouseHHS0115AttachFF.pdf

03:59 PM

Karla Maraccini, Director, Denver Human Services Office of Drug Strategy, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout to the committee which describes the Denver Drug Strategy Plan Executive Summary (Attachment GG). Ms. Maraccini described some of the plan and mentioned that every dollar invested save approximately $10 down the road.

09HouseHHS0115AttachGG.pdf









04:01 PM

Christina Cerbana, Project Coordinator, Colorado State University Extension - Growing Strong Families and Colorado Families, Education, Resource, and Training (CFERT), introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout describing the guiding principles of the organization (Attachment HH). The organization identifies evidence and research-based prevention programs and establishes community and institutional partnerships that strengthen family intervention programs in Colorado.

09HouseHHS0115AttachHH.pdf

04:09 PM

Bob Epstein, President, Colorado Senior Lobby, introduced himself to the committee. He provided a one page information sheet to the committee on the organization's mission (Attachment II). Mr. Epstein stated that Senior Day at the Capitol is February 25, 2009.

09HouseHHS0115AttachII.pdf

04:15 PM

Jean Hammes, Director, Alpine Area Agency on Aging, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Hammes provided a handout to the committee with a description of the area's program and a map of the state with area aging offices (Attachment JJ). Ms. Hammes stated that Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) were established under the Older American Act in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 or older.

09HouseHHS0115AttachJJ.pdf

04:22 PM

Mike Drake, Treasury, Older American Coalition, introduced himself to the committee. Mr. Drake stated that the mission of the coalition is to increase funding for services to the elderly.


04:26 PM

Vivian Stovall, Chair, Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans, introduced herself to the committee. She provided a handout to the committee with the organization's mission (Attachment KK). She stated the main focus of the alliance is to build a strong voice for the elderly.

09HouseHHS0115AttachKK.pdf






04:33 PM

Penny Cook, Ombudsman Program Manager, Denver Regional Council of Governments' Ombudsman Program, introduced herself to the committee. She described the Ombudsman Program for the committee and provided a handout with specific information on the responsibilities of the program (Attachment LL). Ms. Cook highlighted legislation that the organization supports.

09HouseHHS0115AttachLL.pdf

04:38 PM

Maureen Hewitt, President, Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (CAHSA) and Total Long-term Care, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Hewitt described the association's mission and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment MM).

09HouseHHS0115AttachMM.pdf

04:41 PM

Beverly Dahan, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Total Long-Term Care, and Ford Allison, Executive Director, Total Long-Term Care, introduced themselves to the committee. Ms. Dahan provided several handouts to the committee including a description of the Colorado Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a brochure of the Total Long-term Care Program and a 2009 calendar (Attachments NN, OO, and PP respectively). Ms. Dahan provided a description of the services provided by PACE. Mr. Allison spoke about a new program that will provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

09HouseHHS0115AttachNN.pdf 09HouseHHS0115AttachOO.pdf

09HouseHHS0115AttachPP.pdf

04:48 PM

Howard Paul, Executive Director, Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, introduced himself to the committee. He stated that the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) face two issues, workforce and reimbursement rates. Mr. Paul highlighted Senate Bill 09-002 which will provide funding for EMTs. He also provided several handouts to the committee on the association (Attachment QQ).

09HouseHHS0115AttachQQ.pdf






04:55 PM

Chris Howes, lobbyist, and Jim Driscoll, lobbyist, introduced themselves to the committee. Mr. Howe referred to a packet of handouts which highlights each of their clients including the Colorado Retail Council, the Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists, the Rural/Metro Ambulance Corporation, the Coventry Health Care Inc, and the Colorado Pharmacy Infrastructure (Attachment RR). Mr. Driscoll provided brief information on each group.

09HouseHHS0115AttachRR.pdf

04:58 PM

Val Kalnins, Executive Director, Colorado Pharmacists Society, introduced himself to the committee. He provided a handout to the committee regarding the history and purpose of the association (Attachment SS).

09HouseHHS0115AttachSS.pdf

05:01 PM

Brad Young, Governmental Affairs Director, RxPlus Pharmacies, introduced himself to the committee. He provided a handout to the committee with contact information (Attachment TT).

09HouseHHS0115AttachTT.pdf

05:06 PM

J. William Artist, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures Association of America (PhRMA), introduced himself, Rubin Valdez, Lacee Artist, Collon Kennedy, and Christ Lepore to the committee. He stated that the aforementioned individuals all work for PhRMA. Chris Lepore, Director for State Government Affairs, introduced himself to the committee. Mr. Lepore provided several handouts to the committee (Attachments UU).

09HouseHHS0115AttachUU.pdf

05:11 PM

Representative Riesberg stated the next committee meeting on January 22, 2009, will be a joint hearing with the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. At that hearing, the committee will hear from the Joint Budget Committee and the Department of Public Health and Environment. The committee adjourned.