Current Legislation

Hospital Payment Assistance Program (SB12-134)
Requires each hospital to make available to patients, and to communicate to each patient, information about the hospital's charity program and discount program in a clear and understandable manner and in languages appropriate to its communities. The bill also requires hospitals to offer a discount to each qualified patient. A qualified patient is defined as an uninsured patient who has a family income of not more than 400% of the federal poverty income level and who does not receive a discount through the Colorado indigent care program. A hospital is prohibited from charging a patient for more than the cost of providing care. The bill requires each hospital to offer to screen each patient for the discount program and any other financial assistance offered by the hospital. Each hospital is required to offer a payment plan to an eligible patient and to fulfill specific obligations before sending a bill to a collection agency for payment.
ACTIVE SUPPORT
Status: Introduced In Senate. Assigned to Health and Human Services. Hearing Date 2/16/2012

Notice of Hospital Services Not Provided Religious Grounds (SB12-093)
The bill requires hospitals licensed in Colorado to provide notice in a manner specified by the department of public health and environment of all services that the hospital refuses to provide because of religious beliefs or moral convictions. The bill requires the notice to inform patients of their right to obtain any service not provided by the hospital because of religious beliefs or moral convictions from another hospital that does provide the service. Requires the notice to be made available prior to or at admission of the patient or as soon after admission as practicable.
SUPPORT
Status: Introduced In Senate. Assigned to Health and Human Services. Hearing Date 2/16/2012

Alternative Medicaid Program For Elderly (SB12-018)
SB12-018 proposes the creation of an alternative voucher program to Medicaid for older adults.  This program would require a federal waiver to create a voluntary medical assistance program for Medicaid eligible adults age 55 and older. 
OPPOSE
Status: Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health and Human Services. Hearing Date 2/2/2012

Federal Convention to Repeal Federal Health Law (resolution) (HR12-1003)
Asks Congress to call for a constitutional convention to propose an amendment to repeal PPACA.
OPPOSE
Status:  Passed house 1/19/2012, no Senate sponsor

Medicaid Reform Seek Federal Waiver (SB12-032)
Requires HCPF to seek a federal waiver to allow for increased flexibility and efficiency in the management of the medicaid program and the children's basic health plan. The waiver will seek authorization to determine eligibility categories and income levels and to establish an asset test for eligibility, implement cost-sharing and premiums, encourage the use of private health benefits coverage, and encourage persons to maintain employer-sponsored health insurance. As part of the waiver, the state department may negotiate for capped federal reimbursements with provisions for adjustments in the federal reimbursements for population growth and inflation. The state department shall report to the general assembly concerning the waiver request and identify necessary changes to state law to implement the reforms requested in the waiver.
OPPOSE
Status: Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Postpone Indefinitely (02/01/2012)

Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Repeal (SB12-053):
Would repeal the "Colorado Health Benefit Exchange Act" if the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" as amended by the "Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010" (federal act) is repealed or the United States supreme court rules that all or any part of the federal act is unconstitutional.
OPPOSE
Status: Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health and Human Services. Hearing scheduled for 2/2/2012.

For more information on any of these pieces of legislation, please contact Debra Judy at djudy@cohealthinitiative.org or Ashley Wheeland at awheeland@cohealthinitiative.org.