S_HHS_2025A 04/24/2025 05:50:07 PM Committee Summary

Jamal Long Soldier, James Graham, and Maria Martinez, appointees to the Colorado Brain Injury Trust Fund Board, appeared before the committee. The appointment letter may be found in Attachment B. Russha Knauer introduced herself and the appointees. The appointees discussed their reasons for wanting to serve on the board. Committee members made comments to the appointees.

Senators Daugherty and Ball, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1213 which exempts assisted living facilities with fewer than 19 beds that have not undergone new construction or renovations from complying with certain facility guidelines, and makes several changes to administrative, eligibility, billing, and review requirements of the state’s Medicaid program under the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

Katherine Mulready,
representing Colorado Hospital Association, testified to amend the bill.
Michelle Pinkowski, representing Colorado Assisted Living Association,
testified in support of the bill. Nancy Dolson, representing Colorado Health
Care Policy and Financing Department, was available to answer committee
questions. Committee members asked the panel questions.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment E).

Senator Michaelson Jenet, primary bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 25-296 which expands the current prohibition on cost sharing to additional types of breast cancer screenings and examinations.

The primary bill sponsor provided closing remarks.

The committee recessed.

The primary bill sponsors provided closing remarks.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Senator Cutter, primary bill sponsor, presented House Bill 25-1250 which requires local education providers to distribute materials created by the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to caregivers at the beginning of each school year.

Andrew Lucas, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Stephanie Greenberg, representing Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Charlotte Derichsweiler, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Virginia Mack, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Brenna Kennedy, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Mark Longshore, representing Colorado Nurses Association, testified in support of the bill.

The primary bill sponsor provided closing remarks.

Senators Michaelson Jenet and Daugherty, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1097 which requires county caseworkers to develop placement transition plans for children moving between different out-of-home placements or back to the child’s home.

Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in opposition to the bill. Christine Van Gaasbeek, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in opposition to the bill. Genevieve Manco, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Martha Wilson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Committee members asked the panel questions.

Mr. Kevin Neimond, representing Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI), testified to amend the bill. Mr. William Fenton, representing Denver Human Services, testified to amend the bill. Kari Daggett, representing Adams County, Child and Family Services, testified to amend the bill. Mollie Warren, representing Boulder County, testified to amend the bill. Committee members asked the panel questions.

Steffany Lyddon, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Alana Rosen, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, answered questions from the committee.

Committee members asked the chair questions.

The primary bill sponsors provided closing remarks.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Senators Pelton B. and Roberts, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1094 which places disclosure requirements on Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and regulates pricing practices including by prohibiting PBMs from keeping income from anything other than a flat-dollar service fee per prescription drug. A handout was provided to the committee (Attachment N).

Christina Walker, representing Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Kristin Holmes, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Emily Zadvorny, representing Colorado Pharmacists Society, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Rebecca Gillett, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. John Christen, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Committee members asked the panel questions.

Jonathan Buxton, representing PCMA, testified in opposition to the bill. Lisa Le Gette, representing The Cigna Group, testified in opposition to the bill. Rachel Lee, representing CVS Health, testified in opposition to the bill. Committee members asked the panel questions.

Mr. Miller Hudson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Sara Almerri, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Ky Davis, representing RxPlus Pharmacies and Harris Pharmacy, testified to amend the bill.

Meghan Raynes, representing Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill. Jeff Riester, representing Department of law, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mark Blum, representing PBM Accountability Project, testified in support of the bill. Amanda Boone, representing Self and CF United, testified in support of the bill.

Amanda Massey, representing CVS Health, testified in opposition to the bill. Kathryn Starbuck, representing CVS Retail, testified in opposition to the bill. Scott Wyne, representing CVS Specialty, testified in opposition to the bill. Committee members asked the panel questions.

Mr. Kevin McFatridge,
representing Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in opposition
to the bill. Karlee Tebbutt, representing America's Health Insurance Plans
(AHIP), testified in opposition to the bill. Rachel Beck, representing
Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill. Ernie
Goss, representing Americans for Pharma Reform, testified in opposition
to the bill. Stacy Hodgson, representing National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Activist, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment O).

Senator Roberts explained amendment L.033 (Attachment P).

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

The primary bill sponsors provided closing remarks.

Senators Baisley and Mullica, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1088 which modifies cost and billing practices for ground ambulance services related to rate submissions, rate requirements, and out-of-network reimbursements.

Mr. Kevin McFatridge, representing Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified to amend the bill. Jill Mullen, representing Colorado Division of Insurance, testified to amend the bill.

Jeremy Metz, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Samantha Jessup, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Todd Heinl, representing West
Metro Fire, testified in support of the bill. Amanda Boone, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Merrit Linke, representing
Grand County Commissioners, testified in support of the bill.



Additional witness
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment Q).

The primary bill sponsors provided closing remarks.