E02CD8556D5C893C8725873400664A78 Hearing Summary

The following individuals gave a presentation about Colorado’s behavioral health needs, including an overview of the behavioral health system, progress to date, and remaining systemic gaps in care:

• Kim Bimestefer, executive director the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
• Summer Gathercole, Senior Advisor for Behavioral Health Transformation, Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS)
• Robert Werthwein, Director, Office of Behavioral Health, CDHS

The presentation can be viewed here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/behavioral_health_in_colorado_-_putting_people_first.pdf

Task Force members asked questions about evidence-based practices, co-responder programs, and residential child care facilities.

Further questions were asked about payer sources, best practices, and cost benefits.   Discussion followed about the need for additional local, state and federal investiments in mental health, the overuse of emergency rooms for persons with a mental health disorder, and the need for more step-down facilities.