H_HHS_2024A 03/06/2024 01:35:41 PM Committee Summary

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

The primary bill
sponsor, Representative English, introduced House Bill 24-1229 to the House
Health and Human Services Committee. The bill changes the requirements
for people in need of long-term care to become presumptively eligible for
Medicaid by removing the requirement for a level of care assessment and
allowing the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to collect
any information required for federal authorization.



The bill sponsor
provided the committee with a printed handout (Attachment B).

David Bolin, representing
Colorado Long-Term Assistance Service Providers, testified in support of
the bill.



Ms. Deborah Lively,
representing LeadingAge Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Doug Farmer,
representing the Colorado Health Care Association, testified in support
of the bill.



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

Dawn Russell, representing
American Disabled For Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT), testified in support
of the bill.



Ms. Julie Reiskin,
representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support
of the bill.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment C).

Members of the committee provided closing comments regarding the bill.

The committee was brought back to order.

Deputy Chief Sadar,
representing the Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police - Commerce
City Police Department, testified in opposition to the bill.



Marshall Weaver,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.



Ginny Burton,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.



Michelle Steeb,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Shawn Hill,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Jason Mikesell,
representing the Teller County Sheriff's Office, testified in opposition
to the bill.



Ms. Erin Meschke,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.



Jim Blanchard,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.



Ms. Brittany Vessely,
representing the Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in opposition
to the bill.

Dr. Sarah Rowan,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Thomas Hernandez,
representing Tribe Recovery Homes, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Betsy Craft,
representing the Colorado Drug Policy Coalition, testified in support of
the bill.



MaryJane Maestas,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Dr. Stephanie
Stewart, representing the Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified
in support of the bill.

Mr. Andrew Goodman,
representing the Colorado Drug Policy Coalition, testified in support of
the bill.



Dr. Katherine
LeMasters, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Breeah Kinsella,
representing the Colorado Providers Association, testified in support of
the bill.



Dr. Joshua Blum,
representing the American Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support
of the bill.



Ms. Z. Williams,
representing the Bread and Roses Legal Center, testified in support of
the bill.

Ms. Lisa Raville,
representing the Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of
the bill.



Ms. Wilder Hickney,
representing the Colorado Mental Wellness Network, testified in support
of the bill.



Ms. Dana Steiner,
representing the Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Dennis Pales,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Shannon Bucci,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Brian Erickson,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Azalee Hoffbauer,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



June Churchill,
representing Greater Denver Transit, testified in a neutral position on
the bill.



Christopher Bonham,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Michaela Whitley,
representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Kyle Giddings,
representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coaltion, testified in
support of the bill.



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



Molly McKinley,
representing the Denver Streets Partnership, testified in support of the
bill.



Grace Thorvilson,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Cole Bortz, representing
the Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support of the
bill.



Mr. Dave Wasserman,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment D).

Members of the committee provided closing comments on the bill.