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S_HHS_2024A 05/02/2024 09:25:54 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date 05/02/2024
Attendance
Baisley X
Cutter X
Exum X
Jaquez Lewis X
Michaelson Jenet X
Rich X
Will X
Ginal X
Fields X
Time 09:25:54 PM to 12:51:24 AM
Place SCR 352
This Meeting was called to order by Fields
This Report was prepared by Jerard Brown
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB24-1384 Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
HB24-1038 Referred to Senate Appropriations
HB24-1031 Referred to Senate Appropriations
HB24-1431 Referred to Senate Appropriations
HB24-1456 Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
HB24-1153 Referred to Senate Finance
HB24-1217 Referred to Senate Appropriations
HB24-1382 Referred to Senate Appropriations
HB24-1045 Referred to Senate Appropriations
HB24-1075 Referred to Senate Appropriations

HB24-1384 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
09:26:45 PM  
Senators Zenzinger
and Kirkmeyer, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1384, which
requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to seek
a federal grant for certified community behavioral health clinics. The
bill specifies that HCPF must collaborate with the Behavioral Health Administration
and the Joint Budget Committee. If the grant is received, HCPF must promulgate
rules to certify the clinics.
09:29:17 PM  
Katie Ryan, representing
Denver Health, testified in support of the bill.



Ryan Templeton, representing Behavioral Health Adminsitration, was available
to answer committee questions.



Melissa Eddleman, representing Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing
Department, was available to answer committee questions.
09:31:45 PM  
Ms. Edie Sonn, representing
Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment A).
09:34:41 PM  
Senator Kirkmeyer provided closing remarks.


09:35:42 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1384 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Cutter Yes
Exum Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Rich Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1038 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
09:35:48 PM  
Senators Kirkmeyer
and Fields, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1038, which
creates and expands programs for youth who are in, or are at risk of being
placed in, out-of-home care, as described below. First, the bill directs
the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), the Behavioral
Health Administration, and the Department of Human Services (CDHS) to create
a system of care for the youth populations that they deem appropriate,
including youth covered by Medicaid. At a minimum, the system must:



·        implement tool that assesses treatment needs;

·        provide intensive care coordination;

·        expand access to treatment foster care (an
alternative to residential treatment facilities), including by increasing
access under the state Medicaid program; and

·        expand access to supportive services under
the Children’s Habilitation Residential Program Waiver (CHRP - described
below in more detail).



The BHA must promulgate rules for implementation by October 1, 2024. HCPF
may promulgate rules and must implement the expanded access to treatment
foster care under Medicaid by January 1, 2025.The bill requires HCPF to
apply for federal approval to update the eligibility requirements for the
Children’s Habilitation Residential Program Waiver (CHRP), a program for
youth who are at risk of out-of-home placement. Currently, the program
is limited to youth with developmental disabilities. By January 1, 2025,
HCPF must apply for the program to include youth with serious emotional
disturbances. HCPF must evaluate its reimbursement rate for psychiatric
residential treatment facilities using an actuarial analysis from a third-party
vendor. Residential child care provider training academy. By July 1, 2026,
the CDHS must help staff, monitor, and improve residential child care facilities
by:



·        creating an academy to train residential child
care providers;

·        developing minimum standards and a monitoring
system;

·        developing an incentive system to improve
performance; and

·        reporting required information outlined in
the bill.



Emergency Residential Treatment Program. Finally, the bill continues and
expands theEmergency Residential Treatment Program, created as a response
to the COVID-19 pandemic, subject to available appropriations. The program
is expanded by:



·        increasing the number of beds available;

·        increasing the reimbursement rates;

·        reimbursing for the cost of room and board
for any child eligible for Medicaid but not in the custody of a county;

·        creating a pilot program within the program
for non-detained, justice-involved youth;

·        contracting with additional providers; and

·        increasing reporting requirements.
09:38:19 PM  
Ms. Mollie Bradlee, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Ellen Stern, representing Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Tiffany Pelham Webb, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment B).
09:46:35 PM  
The primary bill sponsors provided closing remarks.
09:46:53 PM  
Committee members provided closing remarks.


09:49:31 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1038 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Fields
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Cutter Excused
Exum Excused
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Rich Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1031 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
09:50:50 PM  
Senators Kirkmeyer
and Michaelson Jenet, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1031,
which requires counties to meet the provisions of the federal Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and make reasonable efforts to ensure language access when
providing services to children placed in out-of-home care and their families.
The bill also requires courts to provide translation and interpretation
services to parties in dependency and neglect cases, including in dispositional
hearings, if the party has limited English proficiency.
09:52:15 PM  
Ms. Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment C).
09:54:42 PM  
The primary bill sponsors provided closing remarks.


09:55:52 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1031 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Michaelson Jenet
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Cutter Yes
Exum Excused
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Rich Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Excused
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1431 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
09:56:00 PM  
Senators Winter F.
and Michaelson Jenet, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1431,
which creates the Stable Housing for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence
Program in the Department of Human Services (CDHS). By January 1, 2025,
the CDHS is required to contract with community-based organizations to
distribute short-term assistance payments to survivors of abuse for stable
housing. Recipients must also be eligible for assistance provided by the
Colorado Works Program. The bill appropriates $2.0 million annually for
the program from the Colorado Long-Term Works Reserve from FY 2024-25 to
FY 2028-29.



Committee members asked the panel questions.
10:00:33 PM  
Ms. Beth Collins,
representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support
of the bill.



Onnastasia Cole, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault,
testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Ian Mcmahon, representing Colorado Department of Human Services, testified
in support of the bill.



Ms. Kathleen Melendy, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in
support of the bill.



Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment
D).
10:10:16 PM  
The primary bill
sponsors provided closing remarks.


10:13:45 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1431 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Michaelson Jenet
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Cutter Yes
Exum Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Rich Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1456 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
10:14:00 PM  
Senator Michaelson Jenet, primary bill sponsor, presented House Bill 24-1456, which requires the Department of Public Health and Environment to promulgate rules concerning syphilis testing for pregnant patients.
10:16:27 PM  
Ms. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Mr. Michael Ruddock, representing Adams County Health Department, testified in support of the bill.
10:22:00 PM  
The primary bill sponsors provided closing remarks.


10:23:00 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1456 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Michaelson Jenet
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Cutter Yes
Exum Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Rich Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1153 - Referred to Senate Finance
10:23:06 PM  
Senators Cutter and Jaquez Lewis, primary bill sponsors, presented House bill 24-1153, which establishes continuing medical education requirements for physician license renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation.

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.
10:31:53 PM  
Brita Darling, representing Legislative Legal Services - Bill Drafter, was available to answer questions.
10:35:26 PM  
Emmett Blaney, representing Young Invincibles, testified in support of the bill.


10:39:44 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1153 to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Jaquez Lewis
Seconded
Baisley No
Cutter Yes
Exum Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Rich No
Will No
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1217 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
10:40:07 PM  
The committee recessed.
10:42:00 PM  
The committee resumed.
10:42:06 PM  
Senator Mullica primary bill sponsor, presented House bill 24-1217, which requires the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to create a friends and family input form to allow a patient’s family and friends to supply relevant information. The bill requires the BHA to solicit feedback from stakeholder and legal experts and make the form available by July 1, 2025.

The bill also convenes a workgroup in the Governor’s Office to study a centralized consent repository and produce a report by January 1, 2026. Members must include various stakeholders and department representatives.

Committee members asked the bill sponsor questions.
10:57:03 PM  
Bridget Anshus, representing
Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Edie Sonn, representing Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified
in support of the bill.



Josh Shultz, representing Legislative Legal Services - Bill Drafter, was
available to answer questions.



Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment
E).
11:03:38 PM  
The bill sponsor provided closing remarks.


11:04:12 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1217 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Cutter Yes
Exum Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Rich Yes
Will Excused
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 8   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1382 - Referred to Senate Appropriations

11:04:20 PM  
Senator Mullica,
primary bill sponsor, presented House bill 24-1382, which requires state-regulated
insurance plans to cover treatment for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric
syndrome and pediatric auto-immune neuropsychiatric associated with streptococcal
infections conditionally including up to six immunomodulatory courses of
intravenous immunoglobulin. The bill also creates coding requirements;
prohibits cost-sharing; and places limits on prior authorization requirements.



The coverage applies to large group plans issued or renewed after January
1, 2025 and to individual and small group plans issued or renewed after
January 1, 2026 if no state defrayal is necessary.
11:07:30 PM  
Dr. Bonnie Abbott, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Hayley Sykes, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Erin Leyba, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Nathan Perry, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Miroslav Kovacevic, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Jill Aloia, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
11:24:39 PM  
Mr. Cameron Case,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Christine Case, representing themself, testified in support of the
bill.

Ms. Case provided two handouts to the committee (Attachments F and G).



Committee members asked the panel questions.



Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment
H).
11:34:08 PM  
Senator Mullica provided closing remarks.
11:34:17 PM  
Committee members provided closing remarks.


11:38:06 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1382 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Cutter Yes
Exum Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Rich Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1045 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
11:38:20 PM  
Senators Mullica
and Will, primary bill sponsors, presented House bill 24-1045, which creates
and expands programs and services for substance use disorder (SUD) treatments.
Specifically, the bill:



Expands Behavioral Health Diversion Programs. The bill appropriates $500,000,
half to the Department of Human Services (CDHS) and half to the Judicial
Department, for use on district attorney adult pretrial diversion programs.

Provides reentry services under Medicaid. By July 1, 2025, the bill requires
the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to provide the
following reentry services to people immediately before they are released
from the Division of Youth Services in the CDHS or a Department of Corrections
facility:



·        medicated-assisted treatment (MAT) medications,
via an opioid treatment program;

·        a 30-day supply of additional medications,
if needed; and

·        case management services, which are assumed
to include screening, brief intervention, and care coordination services.



Additionally, if county jails that provide these services can participate
in the program in such a way that no additional state funds are required,
HCPF will include those county jails in the program.



Provides partial hospitalization services for SUD under Medicaid. The bill
requires HCPF to seek federal authorization to provide partial hospitalization
services for SUD.



Expands the Colorado Child Abuse Prevention Trust Fund. The bill appropriates
$150,000 annually and an additional $50,000 in the first two years from
the General Fund to the Colorado Child Abuse Prevention Trust Fund under
the Department of Early Childhood (CDEC).



Provides safety net provider application support services. The bill requires
the BHA to contract with an independent third-party to support providers
seeking to become approved BHA safety net providers.

Creates the Contingency Management Grant Program. The bill creates a grant
program in the BHA to support selected substance use disorder treatment
programs and appropriates $750,000 to the program.



The bill makes several other changes as outlined below. Specifically, it:



·        places new reporting requirements on HCPF
and the BHA.

·        prohibits state-regulated insurance plans
from applying a prior authorization requirement for SUD treatment drugs
based on dosage, and prohibits insurance from applying a different reimbursement
rate for SUD treatment drugs to pharmacists and take-home drugs.

·        requires the BHA to promulgate rules around
gaining a certificate as an addiction specialist or technician.

·        requires the various boards under the Department
of Regulatory Agencies and potentially the Department of Public Health
and Environment (CDPHE) to develop a statewide drug therapy protocol for
pharmacists to prescribe, dispense, and administer select MAT drugs.

·        makes changes to the MAT expansion pilot program
including making pharmacies eligible for grants, removing the restriction
on the number of counties that may be selected for participation, expanding
membership requirements for the board, and changing the reporting requirements.

·        requires the BHA to collect data on and review
the admission criteria for withdrawal management facilities.

·        continues the Opioid and Other Substance Use
Disorders Study Committee for the 2025 interim.
11:39:34 PM  
Dr. Emily Zadvorny,
representing Colorado Pharmacists Society, testified in support of the
bill.



Lex Loutzenhiser, representing Illuminate Colorado, testified in support
of the bill.



Frank Cornelia, representing Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified
in support of the bill.



Mr. Devon Peavy, representing Sobriety House, testified in support of the
bill.



Melissa Eddleman, representing Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing
Department, was available to answer committee questions.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment I).
11:57:25 PM  
The bill sponsors provided closing remarks.


11:59:46 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1045 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Will
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Cutter Yes
Exum Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Rich Yes
Will Yes
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1075 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
11:59:54 PM  
The committee recessed.
12:11:09 AM  
The committee resumed.
12:11:25 AM  
Senators Marchman and Jaquez Lewis, primary bill sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1075 which, requires the School of Public Health at the University of Colorado to acquire model legislation developed by a nonprofit to enact a universal single-payer healthcare system. By December 31, 2025, the school must produce a report on the model legislation that: analyzes costs;
· identifies potential revenue sources to cover the costs;
· analyzes connections to federal law;
· evaluated the feasibility of other models; and
· confirms that the legislation will have desired results.

CU may use an actuarial consultant and the newly created task force to help produce the report. The bill creates a task force under the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to assist the university in its report that will meet at least four times. The task force consists of representatives of the General Assembly, various state agencies, and members of various stakeholder groups. Non-legislative members of the task force serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.
12:18:05 AM  
Dr. Leah Schulz, representing Colorado Dental Association, testified in support of the bill.

Angelique Espinoza, representing Good Business Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Guinn Unger, representing Colorado Healthcare Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Gregory Tung, representing Colorado School of Public Health, was available to answer questions.
12:25:31 AM  
Ms. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Meghan Dollar, representing Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Brandon Arnold, representing Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in opposition to the bill.
12:33:50 AM  
Ms. Kelly Campbell, representing American Health Insurance Plans, testified in opposition to the bill.
12:35:31 AM  
Ms. Rosanna Reyes,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Dr. Michael Neil, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Eileen Monyok, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment
J).
12:42:49 AM  
The primary bill sponsors provided closing remarks.
12:45:02 AM  
Committee members provided closing remarks.


12:48:18 AM
 Motion Refer House Bill 24-1075 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Jaquez Lewis
Seconded
Baisley No
Cutter Yes
Exum Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Michaelson Jenet Excused
Rich No
Will No
Ginal Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 3   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



12:48:19 AM
Committee members made closing remarks on the committee.


12:51:24 AM   The committee adjourned.