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MINUTES OF THE

SENATE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 27, 2002, 8:00 A.M.

ROOM 131, STATE CAPITOL



    Members Present:    Sen. Peter C. Knudson, Chair
                Sen. D. Edgar Allen
                Sen. Leonard M. Blackham
                Sen. Scott K. Jenkins    
                Sen. Paula F. Julander

    Staff Present:        Art Hunsaker, Research Analyst
                Nadine Woodhead, Committee Secretary
                
    Visitors List on File:
        
    Chair Knudson called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m.

     MOTION: Sen. Allen moved to approve the minutes of February 25, 2002.

    The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Blackham absent for the vote.

1.     S. B. 58 Health Care Access Reform D. C. Butters)

    Sen. Butters explained the bill.

    Mike Jerman, Vice President, Utah Taxpayers' Association, spoke against the bill.

    Sheila Walsh McDonald, Salt Lake Community Action Program, spoke for the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Allen moved to advance to the next item on the agenda.

    The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Julander absent for the vote.

2.     S. B. 112 Insurance Coverage of Contraceptives (L. S. Poulton)

    Sen. Poulton distributed the following amendments under his name and explained the bill:

    1. Page 3, Line 64:    After "for" insert "establishing, fitting, adjusting, or maintaining the use of"

    2. Page 3, Line 65:    After "coverage" delete "required by" and insert "offered pursuant to"

    3. Page 3, Line 77:    After "nature" insert "that can be obtained without a prescription, or"

    4. Page 3, Line 78:    After line 78 insert "(d) An insurer offering contraceptive coverage

in compliance with Subsection (7)(a) is not required by this section to offer, develop, or maintain coverage that excludes the contraceptive coverage described in Subsection (7)(a)."
         
     MOTION: Sen. Blackham moved to adopt the amendments.
    
     The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Julander absent for the vote.

    Jennifer Cannaday, Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Utah, spoke for the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Julander moved to adopt the following amendments:

    1. Page 3, Line 61:    Delete "also offer to" and after "cover" insert "to the same extent and" and after "terms" delete "and any additional"

    2. Page 3, Line 62:    Delete "premiums"

    The motion passed with Sens. Allen, Julander and Knudson voting in favor, and Sens.
    Blackham and Jenkins voting against.

     MOTION: Sen. Blackham moved to delete item #2 from the amendments under Senator Poulton's name which were passed previously in the meeting.

    The motion passed unanimously.

     MOTION: Sen. Blackham moved to reconsider action on Sen Julander's amendments.

    The motion failed with Sens. Blackham and Jenkins voting in favor, and Sens. Allen, Julander and Knudson voting against.

     MOTION: Sen. Blackham moved to advance to the next item on the agenda.

    The motion passed with Sens. Blackham, Jenkins and Knudson voting in favor, and Sens. Allen and Julander voting against.

    Sen. Jenkins assumed the chair.

3.     S. B. 172 Health Insurance Prompt Pay Amendments (P. Knudson)

    Sen. Knudson distributed the following amendment and explained the bill:

    1. Page 2, Line 32:    After "(d)" delete "(i)" and after "means" insert ": (i)"

     MOTION: Sen. Julander moved to adopt the amendment.



    The motion passed unanimously with Senator Blackham absent for the vote.

    David Gessel, Utah Hospitals and Health Systems, and Steve Bateman, Health Care Associations, spoke for the bill.

    Michael Bahr, President, Altium Health Plans, and Kelly Atkinson, Executive Director, Utah Health Insurance Association, spoke against the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Julander moved to pass the bill, as amended, with a favorable recommendation.

    The motion passed unanimously with Senator Blackham absent for the vote.

    Sen. Knudson resumed the chair.

4.     S. B. 192 Air Quality Act Amendments (B. Wright)

    The bill was not considered.

5.     H. B. 266 Hearing Instrument Specialist Amendments (A. Bradshaw)

    Rep. Bradshaw explained the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Allen moved to pass the bill with a favorable recommendation.

    The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Blackham absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Sen. Julander moved to place the bill on the consent calendar.

    The motion passed unanimously.

     MOTION: Sen. Allen moved to adjourn.

    The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.

    


        ________________________________
                Sen. Peter C. Knudson,Committee Chair