Legislative Roundup #2: What We’re Watching

We are almost halfway through the session, and our team at CHI continues to track the introduction and progress of health-related legislation.  Several notable health-related bills were introduced since last week. Here are bills that we have been paying particular attention to, complete with sponsors, status updates and a brief explanation.

Bills Introduced Since our Last Roundup:  

House Bill 14-1253: Recommendations Civil Commitment Review Task Force
Sponsors: Rep. Beth McCann (D), Sen. Linda Newell (D)
Status: Passed House committee, referred amended to House floor

  • Implements recommendations from the Civil Commitment Review Task Force (HB13-1296), including modifying statutes, definitions and processes surrounding emergency mental health holds.

House Bill 14-1288: Student Immunizations Prior to School Attendance
Sponsors: Rep. Dan Pabon (D), Sen. Irene Aguilar (D)
Status: Assigned to House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee

  • Requires parents planning to forego a child’s immunization requirements because of personal beliefs to receive education about the risks and benefits of immunization, either through a health care provider or via an online module.

Senate Bill 14-032: Alternative Health Care Providers Treat Children
Sponsor: Sen. Kevin Lundberg (R)
Status: Passed Senate committee, referred amended to Senate floor

  • Repeals law that prohibit alternative health care practitioners and registered naturopathic doctors from treating children under the age of two.

Senate Bill 14-067: Medical Assistance Program Align with Federal Law
Sponsors: Rep. Jonathan Singer (D), Sen. Irene Aguilar (D)
Status: Sent to Governor

  • Aligns the state’s eligibility categories for Medicaid and CHP+ with federal law, as outlined in the Affordable Care Act.

Senate Bill 14-144: Family Medicine Residency Programs in Rural Areas
Sponsors: Rep. Joann Ginal (D), Sen. Jeanne Nicholson (D), Sen. Irene Aguilar (D)
Status: Passed Senate committee, referred to Appropriations

  • Extends support of family physician residency programs in rural and underserved areas of Colorado and introduces a study to evaluate and optimize such programs.

Updated Status on Bills We’ve Been Watching:

House Bill 14-1045: Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment
Sponsors: Rep. Dianne Primavera (D), Sen. Irene Aguilar (D), Sen. Larry Crowder (R)
Status: Passed House committee, referred to Appropriations

House Bill 14-1053: Consistent Requirements for Pediatric Dental Benefits
Sponsors: Rep. Beth McCann (D), Sen. Irene Aguilar (D)
Status: Signed by Governor

House Bill 14-1108: Copayments for Physical Rehabilitation Services
Sponsors: Rep. Dianne Primavera (D), Sen. Lois Tochtrop (D)
Status
: Passed House Third Reading

House Bill 14-1115: Medicaid Expansion Private Insurance Pilot Program
Sponsors:  Rep. Amy Stephens (R)
Status: Passed House committee, referred to Appropriations

Senate Bill 14-016: CDPHE Regulate Freestanding Emergency Centers
Sponsors: Rep. Dominick Moreno (D), Sen. Irene Aguilar (D)
Status: Passed Senate committee, referred amended to Senate floor

Senate Bill 14-050: Financial Assistance in Colorado Hospitals
Sponsors: Rep. Dominick Moreno (D), Sen. Irene Aguilar (D)
Status: Passed Senate committee, referred amended to Appropriations

We will continue to monitor the progress of these and other bills. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @CHI_butcherk for more updates from the Capitol this session.