BB2602E3F130F44E87258432007F21C5 Hearing Summary

Cristen Bates, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), Department of Human Services (DHS), and Lindsey Myers, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), discussed state agency policy and program efforts to address the opioid epidemic and the gaps in intervention and prevention efforts.  Ms. Bates discussed the substance use care continuum.  Ms. Bates and Ms. Myers referred to a power point during their presentation (Attachment D). 

Ms. Bates continued to discuss federally funded OBH programs designed to increase prevention outreach.  She told the committee that the federal State Opioid Response Grant is $15,000,000 per year through September 2020.  She spoke about resources for treatment and responded to questions.

Ms. Myers discussed CDPHE's effort to identify and target population disparities using multiple data sources, such as, death, hospitalization, emergency department, Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), EMS, and population health surveys.  She discussed funding distributed by CDPHE to community grantees who work on coalition building, strengthening educational, economic, and societal policies, community or societal norms, and improving access to mental health and substance abuse services.  Ms. Myers discussed the Medication Take Back Program; the loan repayment program for behavioral health providers; CDPHE's efforts to prevent, track, and mitigate HepC and HIV outbreaks; and efforts to create and execute response plans to address emerging issues, such as Fentanyl, Naloxone standing orders, and Opioid Antagonist Bulk Order Fund.

Ms. Bates discussed ways to expand prevention and treatment opportunities.  Committee members commented on the disparities of treatment options within communities of color.

Ms. Myers discussed prevention opportunities and the PDMP.

Ms. Bates discussed the 1115 demonstration waiver for a residential substance use benefit under Medicaid being considered by HCPF; current OBH subsidy for the cost of residential treatment for those under 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, including Medicaid beneficiaries; and OBH's work with managed service organizations (MSOs) to prepare for the update by identifying areas of need and priority for funding.

Ms. Bates discussed policy gaps, including challenges tracking funding data and connecting the investment to outcomes. She discussed the disparity in treatment and overdose prevention expansion efforts among minority populations.  Ms. Bates commented of the need for insurance parity enforcement and coverage.

Ms. Myers discussed PDMP policy gaps, including the integration of the PDMP into provider workflow; sustainability issues related to grant-funded work; local prevention and harm reduction efforts; shifts in data related to prescriptions for stimulants; and provider education related to benzodiazepines.  Ms. Myers responded to committee questions.