S_HHS_2022A 01/27/2022 09:49:29 AM Committee Summary

The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) members answered questions from the committee.

Members of the JBC answered questions from the committee.

Vice Chair Moreno presented budget requests related to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Representative Ransom presented budget requests regarding medical billing.

Bonnie Silva, Director of Office of Community Living, presented an update on House Bill 14-1051, Update to the Strategic Plan for Assuring Timely Access to Services for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, as required in statute. Materials were distributed to the committee (Attachment B).

Randy Brodersen, Executive Director, representing the North Metro Community Services, testified regarding challenges faced over the pandemic.

Jodi Walters, Chie, Parker Personal Care House, spoke about the challenges faced with staffing shortages.

Bonnie Silva, Director of Community Living, presented to the committee on long care services and support and gave an overview of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities waitlist.

Ms. Silva answered questions from the committee.

Maureen Welch, representing self, testified. She testified regarding the IDD waitlist and how it has impacted her family.

Kim Bimestefer, Executive Director, representing the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), gave an overview of HCPF and its programs. Materials were distributed to the committee (Attachment C).

Director Bimestefer continued sharing information regarding HCPF.

Members of HCPF answered questions from members of the committee.

Discussion ensued between members of the committee and HCPF.

HCPF continued to answer questions from the committee.

Tom Massey, Deputy Executive Director, continued with HCPF's presentation. He reviewed the department's legislative agenda.

Deputy Executive Director Massey responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Massey reviewed the department's regulatory agenda.

Dr. Tracy Johnson, Medicaid Director, Health Programs Office, reviewed the statutory reports the department is required to present.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Director Bimesterfer continued the department's presentation and provided concluding remarks. The Health Care Financing Report was shared with the committee (Attachment D).

Lexi Ellis, representing the Colorado Medicaid Behavioral Health Provider Network (COMBINE), testified before the committee and discussed her experiences with HCPF. Danielle Patterson, COMBINE, testified before the committee and discussed her experiences with HCPF. Carlos Villafan, COMBINE, testified before the committee and discussed her experiences with HCPF. Reaca Pearl, COMBINE, testified before the committee and discussed her experiences with HCPF.

Stephanie Villafuerte, Child Protection Ombudsman, representing the Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman, and Jordan Steffen, Deputy Ombudsman, Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman, presented to the committee, as required by Section 19-3.3-108, C.R.S. materials were distributed to the committee (Attachment E).

Kevin Patterson, Chief Executive Officer, Connect for Health Colorado, presented to the committee. He reviewed enrollment data and enrollment efforts by Connect for Health Colorado. Materials were distributed to the committee (Attachment F).

Mr. Patterson responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Pamela Harris, President and CEO, Mile High Early Learning and Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC), presented to the committee as required by Section 26-6.2-104, C.R.S. She discussed the Early Childhood Colorado Framework, along with the ECLC's efforts to address inclusion, diversity, and equity. Materials were distributed to the committee (Attachment G).

Tom Massey, Deputy Executive Director, representing HCPF and ECLC Co-chair, presented to the committee on the Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Planning.

Kevin Neimond, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs - DHS, reviewed DHS' legislative agenda, regulatory agenda, and the department's budget related to stimulus funds. He continued by reviewing elements of the the department's performance management plan.

Yolanda Webb, Director, representing the Office of Adult, Aging, and Disability Services - DHS, presented to the committee.  provided an update on the State Unit on Aging, Adult Protective Services, and the Long-term Care and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Ombudsman. Director Webb discussed eligibility processing and determinations for disability programs. She provided an update on the Regional Center system, Veterans Community Living Centers, Mindsource, and the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Blind. Ms. Webb responded to committee questions regarding the number of Ombudsman and COVID-19 infections in the Veterans Living Centers.

Liz Owens, Deputy Director, representing the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), presented information regarding OBH. She discussed the implementation of the behavioral health administration. Ms. Owens highlighted the I Matter Program. She reviewed the updates required by state law on various programs, including workforce development, the medication consistency program, and the veterans suicide prevention pilot program.

Ms. Owens and Director Barnes responded to questions from the committee.

Minna Castillo Cohan, Director, Office of Children, Youth, and Families - DHS, presented to the committee. She discussed the Office of Youth Services and the Division of Child Welfare.

Ms. Castillo Cohen responded to questions from the committee.

Mary Alice Cohen, Director, representing the Office of Early Childhood - DHS, presented to the committee. She provided an update on the child care stabilization grants. She discussed the department's efforts to increase licensed child care capacity.

Ms. Cohen responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Ki'i Powell, Director, represOffice of Economic Security, presented to the committee on the Office of Economic Security. She discussed the outreach partner application volume. She highlighted issues that working families have with securing reliable child care.

Michael Cooke, Transition Director, representing the Department of Early Childhood (DEC), Office of the Governor, presented to the committee. She reviewed the DEC transition plan and Colorado universal preschool recommendations. Materials were distributed to the committee (Attachment J).

Ms. Cooke discussed the DEC budget requests. Ms. Co reviewed the next steps of the transition.