B993545480036C1E872589DD006632B1 Hearing Summary

Marc Condojani, Director of Adult Treatment and Recovery at the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), gave an overview of the BHA's work including supporting services and treatment, especially in areas not covered by benefits.

Director Condojani went over the three evidence based approached to reduce overdose: education and naloxone distribution, alternatives to opioids for pain management, and medication for opioid use disorder. The BHA has a variety of programs. They buy services for those who are uninsured and underinsured. They also manage a mobile and pop up health units across the state.

The committee asked clarifying questions on the mobile health units. Director Condojani spoke on their reach and how they partner with local communities.

Director Condojani spoke on the spread of treatment programs across the state and the success of increased access. However, there are still gaps from region to region. The BHA is opening new units and working to combat the stigma to bridge those gaps.

The committee asked Director Condojani about youth treatment. Director Condojani stated that the BHA works with providers to give the most appropriate treatment for youth. He also spoke for the need for intervention as a policy solution.

The committee asked questions about the unhoused population treatment efforts. Director Condojani spoke on partnerships to provide earlier treatment and making it so there is limited wait lists to help the population.

Director Condojani spoke on recovery efforts by the BHA. There are different organizations and housing efforts that the BHA supports that focus on opioid and drug recovery.

The committee asked for more clarity on the mobile medication units. Director Condojani spoke on the collaborative approach to build and learn about the units, as well as the process for providers to become more attached to the units. The units also talked with local community leaders to build awareness, relationships, and reduce stigma.

A panel of Cristen Bates, Deputy Medicaid Director, and Jim Leonard, Deputy Director of the Pharmacy Office, representing Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) presented to the committee.

The panel spoke on the investments by the state into behavioral health services and how spending has doubled over the last few years, as well as a brief overview of where some of the funding is going.

The panel gave an overview of medicaid process for individuals. The behavioral health element of medicaid is generally in managed care. HCPF delegates to regional entities which help with administrative support.

The committee asked about medicaid reallocation. The panel stated that HCPF will determine who is eligible for medicaid and went over transition options for anyone who will no longer be on medicaid.

The committee asked about the gap of service between different types of behavioral and developmental disabilities. The panel stated HCPF is working to provide guidelines and training to providers and staff on best way to coordinate cooccuring disorders.

The panel went over how prescriptions have been delivered through the state. HCPF does not have access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring program so it won't be able to see overall trends across the state.

The panel spoke on the chronic pain centers which responds to shortage of providers. The centers help to teach and maximize available benefits.

The panel spoke about federal funding to help innovation, in three phases: OpiSafe; Affordability; and Social Determinants of Health.

The panel spoke on the need to expand Medicaid providers. There are now additional provider types to give more flexibility and funding to providers.

The panel spoke on partial hospitalization as an option for hospitalization that still lets individuals sleep in their bed. It is a useful option for people, but currently not covered by medicaid. In addition, currently no youth residential programs accept medicaid which is a gap in the system.

Lenora Joseph, Director of the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, presented to the committee. The office provides inpatient services for patients and providers. The types of patients treated are in the justice system and referred to the services. There is a waitlist for beds for patients who are not deemed competent, which the state pays a fine for. There are mental health transition living homes that the office is working to create more beds in hospitals.

Director Joseph spoke on the challenge of not being able to get a re-evaluation on patients for competency when the reason for the original evaluation may have been a substance use disorder.

Sam Bourdon and Barbara Gabella, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) presented as a panel to the committee.

The panel went over CDPHE programs including overdose prevention, syringe access, harm reduction grants, free naloxone distribution, free fentanyl test strip, medication and sharps take-back, workforce initiatives, and toxicology grants.

The panel went over key trends they found. They found that overdose deaths involving fentanyl continue to increase in Colorado. The number of deaths from other opioids continue to be low and stable.

The committee asked the panel about identifying cause of overdose due to certain opioid. The panel stated that the toxicology reports and looking across a variety of programs and partners helps determine impact of certain opioids.

The committee asked about the bed space shortage in hospitals. Director Joseph mentioned how there are staffing shortages that lead to about 100 beds not being available for use.