JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

CSMS provided testimony on April 3, 2019 on following proposed bill.

CSMS Supports

• HB 7395 AN ACT CONCERNING OPIOID ABUSE AND TREATMENT.  Read our testimony here.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

CSMS provided testimony on March 25, 2019 on following proposed bills.

CSMS Supports with Amendments

• SB 1057 AN ACT CONCERNING OPIOID USE DISORDER. Read our testimony here.

CSMS Opposes

• SB 966 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY OF PSYCHOLOGISTS.  Read our shared testimony with CT American Academy of Pediatrics, CT Council of Child & Adolescence Psychiatry, CT Psychiatric Society, and CT Advance Practice Registered Nurse Society here

GENERAL LAW & JUDICIARY COMMITTEES

CSMS provided testimony on March 22, 2019 in opposition to the following proposed bills.

CSMS Opposes

• HB 7371 AN ACT CONCERNING THE RETAIL SALE OF CANNABIS.  Read our testimony here.
• HB 7287 AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.  Read our testimony here.
• SB 1085 AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGALIZATION OF THE RETAIL SALE AND POSSESSION OF CANNABIS AND CONCERNING ERASURE OF CRIMINAL RECORDS IN THE CASE OF CONVICTIONS BASED ON THE POSSESSION OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF CANNABIS.  Read our testimony here.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

CSMS provided testimony at the public hearing held on March 18, 2019.

CSMS Position: “Engaged Neutrality”

• HB 5898 AN ACT CONCERNING AID IN DYING FOR TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS.

Read our testimony here.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

CSMS provided testimony at the public hearing held on March 15, 2019.

CSMS Supports

• SB 972 AN ACT CONCERNING ACCESS TO ORIGINAL BIRTH RECORDS BY ADULT ADOPTED PERSONS.

Read our testimony here.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

CSMS provided testimony at the public hearing held on March 13, 2019.

CSMS Supports

• HB 7199 AN ACT CONCERNING IMMUNIZATIONS AGAINST THE MENINGOCOCCAL VIRUS AND HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS.

Read our testimony here.

INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE

CSMS provided oral and written testimony at the public hearing held on March 7, 2019.

CSMS Supports the Concept of the Following Proposed Bill

• H.B. 7267 AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC OPTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE IN CONNECTICUT.

Read our testimony here.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

CSMS provided testimony at the public hearing held on March 5, 2019.

CSMS Supports

• HB 7125 AN ACT CONCERNING PARITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS, NONQUANTITATIVE TREATMENT LIMITATIONS, DRUGS PRESCRIBED FOR THE TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.

Read CSMS testimony in support of HB 7125.

• HB 5521 AN ACT EXPANDING REQUIRED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

Read CSMS testimony in support of HB 5521.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

CSMS provided written and oral testimony at the public hearing held on March 4, 2019.

CSMS Supports

• SB 922 AN ACT ALLOWING STUDENTS TO APPLY SUNSCREEN PRIOR TO ENGAGING IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

Read CSMS testimony presented by Dr. Gary Price (former President of CSMS) and Dr. Stephan Ariyan.

INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE

CSMS provided testimony at the public hearing held on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.

CSMS Supports

• S.B 902 AN ACT CONCERNING HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLANS

Read our testimony in support of S.B. 902.

CSMS Opposes

• S.B. 905 AN ACT CONCERNING SURPRISE BILLING AND REIMBURSEMENTS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUT-OF-NETWORK FACILITY-BASED PROVIDERS.

Read our shared testimony with the CT Society of Eye Physicians, CT Dermatology Society, CT ENT Society, and the CT Urology Society in opposition to S.B. 905.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

CSMS provided written and oral testimony at the public hearing held on Monday,  February 25, 2019.

CSMS Supports

• S.B. 96 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO ENHANCE PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT IN THE STATE.

Read our testimony in support of S.B. 96.

CSMS Opposes

• H.B. 5902 AN ACT CONCERNING NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE.

Read our testimony in opposition of H.B. 5902.

CSMS Opposes Aspects of the Following Proposed Bill

• H.B. 6522 AN ACT CONCERNING CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION IN SCREENING FOR INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER AND GASTROINTESTINAL CANCERS.

Read our testimony on H.B. 6522.

• H.B. 5547 AN ACT REQUIRING PHYSICIANS TO EDUCATE THEIR PATIENTS REGARDING THE NATIONAL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM.

Read our testimony on H.B. 6477.

• S.B. 377 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF NONCOMPETE CLAUSES IN PHYSICIAN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS.

Read our testimony on S.B. 377.

INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE

CSMS provided written testimony at the public hearing held on Thursday,  February 21, 2019.

CSMS Supports

• H.B. 5859 AN ACT PROHIBITING CERTAIN HEALTH CARRIERS FROM REQUIRING THE USE OF STEP THERAPY FOR COVERED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT ARE PRESCRIBED TO TREAT CANCER.

Read our testimony in support of H.B. 5859.

• S.B 838 AN ACT REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AND COST-SHARING FOR MAMMOGRAMS AND BREAST ULTRASOUNDS.
• H.B 7124 AN ACT CONCERNING REQUIRED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MAMMOGRAMS AND BREAST ULTRASOUNDS.

Read our shared testimony with ACOG in support of S.B. 838 and H.B. 7124.

CSMS provided oral and written testimony at the public hearing held on Thursday,  February 14, 2019.

CSMS Supports

• S.B. No. 317 AN ACT REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BARIATRIC AND METABOLIC SURGERY.

Read our shared with the CT Chapter of the American Collage of Surgeons testimony in support of S.B. 317.

• S.B. No. 331 AN ACT REQUIRING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO CONSIDER AFFORDABILITY IN REVIEWING HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM RATE FILINGS.

Read our testimony in support of S.B. 331.

• S.B. No. 339 AN ACT REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ELECTIVE FERTILITY PRESERVATION TREATMENTS.

Read our shared testimony with ACOG in support of S.B. 339.

• H.B. No. 5343 AN ACT REDEFINING “THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR” TO INCLUDE PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS.

Read our testimony in support of H.B. 5343.

• H.B. No. 6095 AN ACT MODIFYING REQUIRED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR DETOXIFICATION.

Read our testimony in support of H.B. 6095.

• H.B. No. 6088 AN ACT CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR FEES.

Read our testimony in support of H.B. 6088.

• H.B. No. 6096 AN ACT RESTRAINING CHANGES TO HEALTH INSURERS’ PRESCRIPTION DRUG FORMULARIES.

Read our testimony in support of H.B. 6096.

CSMS Supports the concepts of the following Bills:

• S.B. No. 322 AN ACT CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CONNECTICUT HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE.

Read our full testimony here.

• S.B. No. 327 AN ACT REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY AMBULANCE SERVICES AT AN IN-NETWORK LEVEL AND PROHIBITING BALANCE BILLING FOR SUCH SERVICES.

Read our full testimony here.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

Testimony provided on February 11, 2019.

CSMS Supports

• H.B. 7070 AN ACT CONCERNING DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING PRACTICES OF LIMITED SERVICES PREGNANCY CENTERS. 

Read the CSMS and ACOG shared testimony in Support of H.B. 7070.

CSMS Opposes

• H.B. 5442 AN ACT ADDING CHRONIC PAIN AS A DEBILITATING CONDITION FOR THE PALLIATIVE USE OF MARIJUANA BY A QUALIFYING PATIENT

Read the CSMS and Connecticut Pain Society shared testimony in opposition of H.B. 5442.

• H.B. 5654 AN ACT ALLOWING DENTISTS TO PERFORM CERTAIN FACIAL THERAPIES AS PART OF THEIR DENTAL PRACTICE

Read the CSMS, CT Society of Plastic Surgeons, CT Dermatology and Dermatological Surgery Society shared testimony in opposition to H.B. 5654.

• S.B. 46 AN ACT PROHIBITING HOSPITALS FROM CHARGING FEES FOR TRAUMA ACTIVATION

Read the CSMS and Connecticut Chapter of the American College of Surgeons shared testimony in opposition of S.B. 46.

Testimony provided on February 4, 2019

CSMS Supports

• S.B. No. 795 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS.

CSMS and the CT Chapter of the American College of Surgeons testimony in support of Senate Bill 795.

CSMS Supports with Edits

• H.B. No. 6943 (RAISED) AN ACT ALLOWING MEDICAL ASSISTANTS TO ADMINISTER VACCINES.

CSMS* testimony in support of House Bill 6943. *Joined by the CT Society of Eye Physicians, CT Dermatology Society, CT ENT Society, and the CT Urology Society.

CSMS Opposes

• Proposed S.B. 16 AN ACT PROHIBITING AN UNAUTHORIZED PELVIC EXAM ON A WOMAN WHO IS UNDER DEEP SEDATION OR ANESTHESIA

CSMS and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Connecticut Chapter (ACOG) testimony in opposition to Senate Bill 16.

• Proposed S.B. No. 45 AN ACT ADDING OPIOID USE DISORDER AND WITHDRAWAL AS A DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITION FOR THE PALLIATIVE USE OF MARIJUANA.

CSMS testimony in opposition to Senate Bill 45.

• H.B. No. 6942 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING A COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AND PHYSICIANS.

CSMS testimony in opposition to House Bill 6942.

INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE

The public hearing on Thursday,  February 7, 2019, at 11:00 A.M., in Room 2D of the Legislative Office Building (LOB).  The full agenda can be found here.  Please note, the bills will be heard in the order listed in the Bulletin.

CSMS Supports

• Proposed S.B. No. 28 AN ACT CONCERNING REIMBURSEMENTS UNDER CERTAIN HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLANS.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B. 28

• Proposed S.B. No. 29 AN ACT CONCERNING THE BURDEN OF PROOF DURING ADVERSE DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION REVIEWS.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B. 29

• Proposed S.B. No. 30 AN ACT PROHIBITING COPAYMENT ACCUMULATOR PROGRAMS.
• Proposed S.B. No. 33 AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ORALLY AND INTRAVENOUSLY ADMINISTERED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B 33

• Proposed S.B. No. 34 AN ACT CONCERNING SHORT-TERM HEALTH INSURANCE.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B. 34

• Proposed S.B. No. 36 AN ACT PROHIBITING HEALTH CARRIERS FROM REQUIRING THE USE OF STEP THERAPY FOR CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B. 36

• Proposed S.B. No. 37 AN ACT REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF PRESCRIBED DRUGS DURING ADVERSE DETERMINATION REVIEWS AND EXTERNAL REVIEW PROCESSES.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B. 37

• Proposed S.B. No. 38 AN ACT REDUCING THE TIME FRAME FOR URGENT CARE ADVERSE DETERMINATION REVIEW REQUESTS.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B, 38

• Proposed S.B. No. 39 AN ACT LIMITING CHANGES TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG FORMULARIES DURING THE TERM OF CERTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES.

CSMS Testimony in Support S.B 39

• Proposed S.B. No. 40 AN ACT REQUIRING SITE-NEUTRAL PAYMENTS FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B 40

• Proposed S.B. No. 41 AN ACT PROHIBITING DISCRETIONARY CLAUSES IN HEALTH INSURANCE AND DISABILITY INCOME POLICIES.
• Proposed S.B. No. 42 AN ACT CONCERNING COST-SHARING UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B 42

• Proposed S.B. No. 43 AN ACT PROHIBITING HEALTH CARRIERS FROM DENYING COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN COVERED BENEFITS PROVIDED IN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS.

CSMS Testimony in Support of S.B, 43

• Proposed S.B. No. 87 AN ACT PROHIBITING DISCRETIONARY CLAUSES IN DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE POLICIES.
• Proposed H.B. No. 5213 AN ACT EXPANDING REQUIRED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR HEARING AIDS.
• Proposed H.B. No. 5518 AN ACT REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR LONG-TERM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES.

CSMS Testimony in Support of H.B 5518

CSMS Supports with Edits

• Proposed H.B. No. 5629 AN ACT CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CONNECTICUT HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE.