Bill would ban ‘facility fees’ from certain medical bills

A proposal in the Colorado legislature would ban “facility fees” from certain medical bills, a move the legislation’s sponsors say will save patients from unexpected costs while hospitals argue it would threaten access to health care.

House Bill 23-1215 would prohibit facility fees if the care is provided via telemedicine, or in a clinic that’s owned by a hospital but not located on its campus. It also would ban facility fees for procedures that can be performed safely somewhere other than a hospital.

The Colorado Medical Services Board would be required to define which services could safely be performed somewhere other than a hospital by the end of March 2024. They could conceivably include almost all imaging services and at least some minor surgeries.

An El Paso County judge on Thursday allowed all charges — including dozens of hatecrime counts — to move forward against the suspect in the mass shooting at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ club last year.

Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Michael Mchenry rejected arguments from defense attorneys that there was not enough evidence to show the suspect was motivated by hate toward the LGBTQ community. The judge allowed prosecutors to proceed with each of the more than 300 charges against suspect Anderson Aldrich.

A man charged in connection with an accidental shooting in Superior is set for trial, though attorneys have left open the possibility of a plea agreement being reached.

Angel Serratos, 23, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Boulder District Court to second-degree assault causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence.

Serratos’ attorney Steve Louth initially asked for another arraignment hearing Wednesday, as he had submitted a plea proposal to prosecutors.

But prosecutors said the sides

Aldrich, 22, is accused of killing five people and injuring 22 others in the Nov. 19 mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. Aldrich is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and bias-motivated counts, among other charges. Aldrich identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, their public defenders have said.

During testimony Wednesday — the first day of Aldrich’s preliminary hearing — prosecutors presented evidence aimed at supporting the bias-motivated charges against the defendant. Investigators testified that Aldrich had shared a photo of a rifle scope aimed at a gay pride parade, used a homophobic slur, and were still a ways apart in negotiations, and with Serratos on a fourth arraignment, attorneys decided instead to set the case for a four-day trial starting Aug. 7. Boulder District Judge Patrick Butler told Louth he could request an earlier hearing if a plea agreement was reached.

Serratos remains out of custody on a personal recognizance bond.

According to an affidavit, Serratos was at a small party in his apartment at 1995 E. Coalton Road in Superior on June 11.

Witnesses said two handguns and an “AR style” rifle were on the table unloaded with their magazines next to them.

According to the affidavit, some people at the party were playing with the guns and pointing them when Serratos shot a 21-year-old man in the chest.

The victim was taken to a hospital by two people at the party before being airlifted to another hospital. He was transported in critical condition but is expected to survive after surgery to stabilize him, according to a release.

Serratos fled the scene with the weapon, but was later arrested without incident at his parents’ home in Commerce City. The handgun used in the shooting was recovered.

Serratos told police the victim said he had never handled a gun and asked to see the weapon. After that, the victim asked Serratos how someone would use the gun in a robbery.

Serratos said he pointed the gun at the victim and pulled the trigger, believing the gun to be unloaded.

Serratos said he had been drinking at the party, though a blood draw at the time of his arrest showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.

One witness said they heard Serratos say, “Did I just shoot you?” to the victim, while another said they saw someone else at the party load the handgun without Serratos or the victim noticing.

— The Denver Post