Sabin Health

Category: Testimony

  • Oral Testimony in Support of Colorado House Bill 25-1040

    Oral Testimony in Support of Colorado House Bill 25-1040

    Thank you madam chair. I’m a student at the University of Colorado school of public health, and I’m here today in strong support of HB25-1040.

    If you spoke with residents of our state 100 years ago, folks working in coal mines and living in cities powered by coal and wood, and explained to them that we will have magic rocks that boil water with no air pollution, but this source of energy was not considered clean, they would have looked at you through bloodshot eyes soot covered faces and called you nuts. 

    Nuclear power is clean, reliable, efficient and, contrary to popular belief, remarkably safe. Nuclear power plants operate at over a 90% capacity factor, far exceeding intermittent sources like wind and solar. It can support Colorado’s future energy needs and provide long-term jobs for skilled workers in our state. While concerns about nuclear waste are understandable, modern technology and secure long-term storage solutions are continually improving, making this a manageable issue. Furthermore, the long term implications of the waste from fossil fuels are significantly more impactful to all of us every day through air pollution and its health impacts.

    Exposure to airborne pollutants is strongly linked to childhood asthma, and fossil fuels specifically increase the ozone burden we face in the Front Range. Fossil fuel combustion releases nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, key ingredients in ground-level ozone. Ozone mitigation efforts have been a focus of this legislative body in the past, with SB24-229 and SB24-095. This bill will further these efforts and take the burden of pollution mitigation away from our poorest residents.

    Colorado is an energy powerhouse and a model of diversified electricity generation for the country. This bill furthers our goals as a state, diving us toward an clean, powerful, and sustainable future. Thank you for your time.

  • Oral Testimony in Support of Colorado House Bill 25-1088

    Oral Testimony in Support of Colorado House Bill 25-1088

    Good afternoon, members of the committee on Health & Human Services. I am a Denver resident and public health student here today to speak in strong support of HB25-1088. This effort is a critical step toward protecting Colorado families from the overwhelming financial burden of unexpected ambulance bills, a burden I’ve experienced firsthand.

    A few years ago, my daughter had a seizure. We called 911 and paramedics arrived quickly. They determined she needed immediate transport to the hospital. In that terrifying moment, my only focus was her health, not insurance, out-of-network status, or cost calculations.

    We later received multiple bills, significantly higher than anticipated, and were left struggling to understand what our insurance covered, what was considered out-of-network, and why we were responsible for such a large sum. There were few resources available online, and no published rates to reference.

    According to the US Public Interest Research Group, 51% of ambulance rides result in a so-called surprise bill, averaging almost $500. How many Coloradan’s may face these bills and decided to avoid an ambulance in the future?

    HB25-1088 directly addresses the confusing problems my family, and so many others, have faced after an emergency ambulance ride. It supports all Coloradans by removing the threat of medical debt from emergencies through two key provisions:

    Establishing out-of-network reimbursement rates

    • This is the most impactful provision for many families. Our bill was initially classified as out of network. Only after an appeal was I able to reduce costs, but I’ve worked in healthcare – how would the average citizen be able to navigate this process?

    Prohibiting balance billing for out-of-network services

    • We were initially billed for the outstanding balance beyond what our insurance paid, despite it being an emergency – an incredibly frustrating experience. This bill protects covered individuals from being held responsible for those excess charges, limiting their out-of-pocket costs to their standard copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. 

    I’ve worked as an EMT. I understand the stress of the job, the thin margins, and the relatively low wages that these lifesaving healthcare providers face. However, this bill will shift responsibility for payment into a regulated insurance market and generate more consistent and reliable reimbursement structure. I believe these providers will adapt and thrive alongside the community.

    I strongly urge you to support this bill. It will provide much-needed protection and transparency for Colorado families, ensuring that access to life-saving emergency medical transportation doesn’t come at an unpredictable and potentially devastating financial cost. By passing HB25-1088, you will be directly improving the lives of your constituents and providing peace of mind during the most vulnerable moments in their lives. Thank you for your time and consideration.