CO SB173

More than 75 percent of adults with hepatitis C are baby boomers born between 1945 and 1965, with infection rates five times higher in this age group than other populations.

Department of Health recommends primary health care providers may offer hepatitis C screening tests to patients born between 1945 and 1965 in inpatient or outpatient settings.

Health care providers may decline to offer screening if the patient is in a life-threatening emergency, has previously been offered screening, or lacks capacity to consent.

If a screening test is reactive, the health care provider may either offer follow-up care or refer the patient to another provider for diagnostic testing and treatment.

Act takes effect on August 6, 2014, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case it takes effect only if approved by voters in the November 2014 general election.