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H_PBH_2023A 01/31/2023 01:30:46 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date 01/31/2023
Attendance
Amabile *
Bradfield *
Bradley X
English X
Gonzales-Gutierrez *
Hamrick X
Holtorf *
Jodeh X
Story X
Young X
Michaelson Jenet X
Time 01:30:46 PM to 03:31:04 PM
Place HCR 0107
This Meeting was called to order by Michaelson Jenet
This Report was prepared by Amanda King
Hearing Items Action Taken
Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Department of Early Childhood Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Department of Public Health and Environment Presentation Committee Discussion Only
Presentation on the I Matter Program Committee Discussion Only

Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
01:31:47 PM  
Kim Bimestefer, Executive
Director, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), presented
to the committee. A copy of the department's powerpoint presentation was
provided to the committee (Attachment A).  She reviewed the services
that are provided through Colorado's Medicaid program, Health First Colorado.
 She discussed demographic information about Health First Colorado
members.  
01:38:21 PM  
Ms. Bimestefer reviewed
information about the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).  She discussed
who receives long-term services and supports through HCPF.  Ms. Bimestefer
reviewed funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act for home- and
community-based services.  She discussed efforts to address behavioral
health needs.  Ms. Bimestefer discussed value based payments.
01:48:47 PM  
Ms. Bimestefer reviewed
the impact COVID-19 has had on the Medicaid population.  She discussed
the upcoming re-determination and potential disenrollment of Medicaid members.
 Ms. Bimestefer highlighted aspects of HCPF's legislative agenda.
 She reviewed information about regional accountable entities (RAEs),
case management agencies (CMAs), and managed care organizations (MCOs).
 She reviewed additional resources that are available through the
department, including the Legislator Resource Center.      



Department of Early Childhood Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
01:59:48 PM  
Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive
Director, Department of Early Childhood (DEC), presented to the committee.
 A copy of the department's powerpoint presentation was provided to
the committee (Attachment B).  She reviewed the history of the creation
of the DEC.  Dr. Roy discussed the DEC's vision, mission, and values.
 She outlined the department's divisions, which are:  Division
of Universal Preschool; Division of Early Learning, Access and Quality;
Division of Early Learning, Licensing and Administration; Division of Early
Childhood Workforce; and Division of Community and Family Support.
02:11:34 PM  
Kendra Dunn, Director
of the Division of Community and Family Support, DEC, discussed the units
in the division.  She discussed social-emotional health.  Ms.
Dunn outlined the Early Intervention Program in the division.  She
discussed the division's early childhood mental health consultants and
the early childhood mental health support line.    
02:19:06 PM  
Ms. Dunn discussed the department's home visiting services. She highlighted the Child First Program and the Home Visiting Investment Task Force.
02:22:15 PM  
Ms. Dunn and Dr.
Roy responded to questions from the committee.  



Department of Public Health and Environment Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
02:33:47 PM  
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), presented to the committee. A copy of the department's powerpoint presentation was provided to the committee (Attachment C). Additionally, a fact sheet was given to the committee (Attachment D). She reviewed the CDPHE organization chart and the department's public health divisions and offices.
02:39:31 PM  
Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed some of the core issues related to public health, including disease outbreaks, overdose prevention, mental and behavioral health, gun violence prevention, health equity, quality services in congregate care settings, and EMS system modernization. She reviewed statistics related to COVID-19 in Colorado.
02:46:11 PM  
Ms. Hunsaker Ryan
discussed some of the core issues related to the environment, including
ozone population, climate action and greenhouse gas emission reduction,
Suncor regulation, water quality challenges, Superfund hazardous waste
sites, environmental justice, and medical marijuana and hemp regulation.
 She highlighted the department's water quality legislative request.
 She discussed the collaboration of the department with local public
health agencies and small businesses.
02:50:12 PM  
Ms. Hunsaker Ryan responded to questions from the committee.



Presentation on the I Matter Program - Committee Discussion Only
02:58:40 PM  
Summer Gathercole,
Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Behavioral Health Administration (BHA),
Department of Human Services, presented to the committee on the I Matter
Program.  A copy of the presentation slides were provided to the committee
(Attachment E).  She discussed House Bill 21-1258 and House Bill 22-1243,
which established and continued the funding for the program.  Ms.
Gathercole discussed the services provided through the I Matter Program,
which provides up to six free therapy session to youth across the state
with licensed clinicians from agencies and independent contractors.
03:03:38 PM  
Ms. Gathercole discussed
that the program is not designed to provide crisis or intensive services
or ongoing, long-term services.  She reviewed demographics of the
youth being served through the program.  Ms. Gathercole discussed
the marketing efforts for the program.  She stated that the program
is unique in the country.  She reviewed the next steps for the program,
including enhancing the platform for users and improving tracking and reporting.
 She stated that the program is set to repeal in 2024, but there are
discussions to continue the program.
03:12:23 PM  
Ms. Gathercole responded to questions from the committee. Ryan Templeton, BHA, responded to questions from the committee.
03:27:33 PM  
The panelists continued to respond to questions from the committee.


03:31:04 PM   The committee adjourned.






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