21668BEA80EE494087258A0400602500 Hearing Summary

A panel of Breeah Kinsella, Executive Director of the Colorado Providers Association, Michael Crews, Policy Director of the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials, Jason Vahling, Director of Public Health and Environment at the City and County of Broomfield, and Meaghan Hillman, Director of the Prowers County and Kiowa County Public Health and Environment presented to the committee.

The panel spoke on prevention specialists. Specialists are meant to increase overall health of a community and should not be tied to funding for specific drugs or issues.

The committee asked about stigma with elected officials. The panel stated that dialogue with the community to open the mind of individuals is the best way to combat stigma.

The committee asked if funding is the largest barrier. The panel stated that the flexibility of funding and funding being prescriptive is a large challenge as well.

The committee asked about the success of current programs. The panel stated that celebrating success are key to making sure to acknowledge the efforts in the state. Colorado has significantly improved its outcomes over the last decade for opioid use.