CATA Legislative FAQ’s and Update

February 2, 2006

House Bill 1127

How is it going?

Extremely well. 

On Monday, January 30, we received a vote in our favor (10-3) by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee of the House of Representatives.  It was a VERY LONG day for the large group that came to either testify or otherwise lend support.  We arrived at 11:30 AM and did not go home until 11:30 PM.  Our hearing lasted only 90 minutes but, having to deal with several “controversial bills” before ours, it took that long for the committee to get to House Bill 1127.

On Thursday, February 02, by a vote of 8-5, the House Finance Committee also approved our bill.  This vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee, where the discussion will very likely be very brief and focus on just the costs of the regulatory program. After that committee, the bill goes to the full House for consideration.

During these hearings, amendments were made to the bill based on discussion which we undertook with the sponsor of the bill and with members of those two committees. 

What does the bill look like now?

Several changes have been made to our bill, most of which were made to reduce the opposition we were receiving from other groups or legislators.  These changes do not modify the substance of the bill and, most importantly, do not divert us from our goal. 

The impact of the bill on the practice of athletic training is still the same.  It will allow us to treat those whom we’re qualified to treat for those conditions which we’re qualified to treat, based upon our education.  That is something on which we won’t compromise.

To view the bill as it was amended in the Health and Human Services Committee, go to http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics2006a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/8CD57D4DB0048402872570C90066816A?open&file=1127hhs_01.pdf. If this very long link does not work, go to www.leg.state.co.us, under House click “bills”, then find the appropriate number category at the top of the page, and click ‘go’. Then scroll down the page to HB 1127, and click on ‘all versions’ At the bottom of the page, you will see a link that says 1127hhs_01.pdf. That is the Health Committee version of the bill. Shortly, when the Finance Committee report is complete, there will be another link in the same area that says 1127fin_01.pdf or something very similar. That will be the Finance Committee version, the most up to date.

Is it true that this is ONLY about 3^rd party reimbursement?

Third party reimbursement is a “marketplace” issue, determined by negotiation between providers and payors.  This bill will not change that reality, and is not intended to.  Our intention is:

• To assure that athletic training is practiced only by those qualified to do so.

• To impose regulatory authority on those who practice unlawfully or improperly.

• To assure that athletic training services are available to all individuals who desire and can benefit from those services. 

If athletic trainers in clinical practice want to negotiate with insurance companies for reimbursement, that is up to them.  The CATA will not be involved in those efforts.

What’s next?

After the Appropriations Committee, we next go to the full House of Representatives where the bill will be discussed and debated on “the floor” of the House.  If we receive a favorable vote from a majority of the House, we then repeat the process in the Senate.  If for any reason the Senate were to approve an amended version of the bill, it would then go back to the House for approval.   Both the House and Senate must approve identical language.

After approval by both the House and Senate, the bill goes to the Governor.  The Governor can either sign it and it becomes law: he can take no action and it becomes law; or he can veto it.

How can I help?

Contact either your communication group leader or Jennifer Dougherty jdougherty-atc@mindspring.com or 303-908-6303 to learn who your state representative and senators are.  Then write, call or e-mail them to express YOUR desires as THEIR constituent to see House Bill 1127 enacted into law.  ALSO, have your family, friends, professional colleagues and people you treat do the same.  We have “tools” available to assist in this process.  IT IS NOT COMPLICATED OR TIME CONSUMING, BUT IT DOES REQUIRE COMMITMENT ON YOUR PART.

Some of the legislators you will contact will be very aware of our issues and some will not.  Some will be very supportive of our efforts, some will be neutral, and some will oppose the idea simply because they oppose any more professional regulation in Colorado.  Our lobbyist is working diligently (and with a lot of success) to win over a substantial majority of the legislators, but she needs YOUR help in “selling” House Bill 1127 to them.  They are your voice in the government and they need to hear from you.

Other Information

We have been working with several interest groups to make this bill appealing, or at least NOT objectionable, to them.  We have learned that this process is about negotiation and compromise, both of which we are doing.

We have reason to be optimistic, but NO guarantee that we will succeed.  We are giving the BEST possible effort, and if we don’t succeed it will be the result of factors which were beyond our control, not because we failed to do everything in our power to produce an outcome which will benefit both the profession and the general public in Colorado.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact Jennifer Dougherty. jdougherty-atc@mindspring.com or 303-908-6303.

Please send all questions and comments to: Kelly Brick, ATC, Webmaster