Senator Kolker, co-prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-17 concerning requiring select mental health services to be covered for Medicaid members under 21 through the managed care system and the School Health Services Program. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing must engage stakeholders and notify impacted entities.

Bridget Anshus, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

John Laukkanen, representing the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in support of the bill.

Christina Walker, representing Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Angela Kimball, representing Inseparable, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Ayelet Talmi, representing Children's Hospital Colorado, testified to amend the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Mr. Daniel Hall, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. David LaRocca, representing Boulder County Public Health, testified in support of the bill.

Khatira  Amn, representing the Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Marcie Buel, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Dawn Fritz, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

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

Ms. Milena Castaneda, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Deborah Mahan, representing the Colorado Mental Health Consortium, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony can be found in Attachment E.

Senator Kolker and the committee provided closing remarks.