i_opioidsubstance_2017a_2017-10-23t09:32:09z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 10/23/2017

Location: RM 271

01:35 PM -- Bill Discussion - Bill 1



The committee came back to order.



Representative Pettersen explained Bill 1 (Attachment N) and presented amendments 1 and 2 (Attachments O and P). The bill establishes in statute the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee, consisting of five senators and five representatives from the General Assembly to:



17Opioid1023AttachN.pdf 17Opioid1023AttachO.pdf



17Opioid1023AttachP.pdf



- study data and statistics on the scope of the substance use disorder problem in Colorado;

- study current prevention, intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery resources available to Coloradans, as well as public and private insurance coverage and other sources of support for treatment and recovery resources;

- review the availability of medication-assisted treatment and the ability of pharmacists to prescribe those medications;

- examine the measures that other states and counties use to address substance use disorders;

- identify the gaps in prevention, intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery resources available to Coloradans and hurdles to accessing those resources; and

- identify possible legislative options to address gaps and hurdles to accessing prevention, intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery resources.



The committee is authorized to meet up to 6 times in a calendar year and may report up to six legislative measures to the Legislative Council, which bills are exempt from bill limitations and introduction deadlines. The committee is repealed on July 1, 2023.



The bill directs the University of Colorado Hospital Authority to develop and implement continuing medical education activities to help prescribers of pain medication to safely and effectively manage patients with chronic pain, and when appropriate, prescribe opioids. It also specifies school-based health care centers may apply for grants from the school-based health center grant program to expand behavioral health services to include treatment for opioid and other substance use disorders. Finally, the bill directs HCPF, starting July 1, 2018, to award grants to organizations to operate a substance abuse screening, brief intervention, and referral program (SBIRT).



Ms. Forrestal explained the amendments. The committee members asked Ms. Forrestal questions about the bill and the amendments.





01:54 PM



Christy Chase, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, answered procedural questions.





01:59 PM



Senator Lambert asked about the possible funding source. Ms. Forrestal discussed various funding options.



02:08 PM -- Dr. Laura Martin, representing the Colorado Psychiatric Society and the Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in a neutral capacity.



02:10 PM -- Gina Moore, representing the Colorado Pharmacists Society, testified in a neutral capacity and discussed the need for mandatory continuing medical education.



02:13 PM -- Elizabeth Pace and Bethany Pace Danley, Peer Assistance Services, testified in a neutral capacity. Ms. Danley discussed available funding for SBIRT training in rural areas in Colorado.



02:21 PM -- Dr. Qing Li, representing herself, testified in a neutral capacity and presented a handout (Attachment Q). Dr. Li answered committee questions.



17Opioid1023AttachQ.pdf



02:36 PM -- Bridget Beatty, representing the Colorado Association for School Based Health Care, testified in a neutral capacity.



02:45 PM -- Larisa Bolivar, representing the Cannabis Consumers Coalition, testified in a neutral capacity and presented a handout (Attachment R).





17Opioid1023AttachR.pdf