B176FD3EBC04D2EC872586E0007D7AF4 Hearing Summary

Representative Duran, bill sponsor, introduced and gave opening comments on SB21-158. The bill modifies the Colorado Health Service Corps program in the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to include geriatric advanced practice providers. It allows geriatric advanced practice providers who meet certain criteria to participate in an education loan repayment program. In order to be eligible, a geriatric advanced practice provider must enter into a contract to provide such care for at least two years. In addition, they must have completed at least one of the following:

· a formal, postgraduate geriatrics training program;
· formal geriatrics training within an advanced practice provider training program and at least 12 months of postgraduate clinical experience, with an emphasis on providing geriatric care; or
· a geriatric track clinical experience during an advanced practice provider training program.

The bill also updates the definition of "state designated health professional shortage area" to include a shortage of geriatric advanced practice providers and increases the membership of the Colorado Health Service Corps Advisory Council from 15 to 16 with the addition of a physician who provides geriatric care or a geriatric advanced practice provider.

Jodi Waterhouse, CU Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging, testified in support of the bill. Steve Holloway, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Richard Mauro, Denver Regional Council of Governments, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Titone and Representative Duran gave final comments on the bill.

Committee members made final comments on the bill.