S_HHS_2016A 03/10/2016 01:31:47 PM Committee Summary

01:31 PM -- Confirmation of Colorado Children's Trust Fund Board



Laren Hazen, appointee, told the committee about her qualifications and reasons for wanting to serve on the board. Erika McElory, appointee, told the committee about why she wanted to be a member of the board.





The Governor's appointment letter may be found in Attachment A. The appointees' applications and resumes may be found at the State Archives.



160310 AttachA.pdf

01:37 PM -- Confirmation of Medical Services Board



Jessica Kuhns, appointee, told the committee about her background and why she wants to be a member of the Medical Services Board. Dr. Paul Melikovich, appointee, told the committee about his background and why he would like to be reappointed to the board. Michael Stahl, appointee, told the committee about why he would like to be reappointed to the Medical Services Board. Commissioner David Potts, appointee, told the committee about his professional experience and why he would like to serve on the board. The appointees responded to questions from the committee.





The Governor's appointment letter may be found in Attachment B. The appointees' applications and resumes may be found at the State Archives.



160310 AttachB.pdf

01:49 PM -- Presentation by Department of Human Services and Department of Revenue on Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards



Ron Kammerzell, Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR), and Kate Griego, Department of Human Services (DHS), came to the table. They provided two handouts to the committee (Attachments C and D). Mr. Kammerzell told the committee about the provisions of House Bill 15-1255, which requires DHS and DOR to submit periodic reports to the General Assembly on instances of improper use of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards at prohibited locations. He explained that DOR must promulgate rules concerning the use of EBT cards at prohibited locations, such as licensed gaming establishments, retail liquor stores, and all other establishments regulated by DOR where federal law prohibits the use of public benefits. The bill also requires DOR to promulgate rules that require operators of any establishment regulated by the DOR to post a sign on or near an ATM that is not programmed to reject EBT cards notifying clients that the use of EBT cards is prohibited.



160310 AttachC.pdf160310 AttachD.pdf







01:53 PM



Ms. Griego told the committee about the actions DHS has taken to implement the provisions of House Bill 15-1255. The bill requires DHS to establish rules concerning the enforcement and use of EBT cards at prohibited locations. Ms. Griego responded to questions from the committee. Mr. Kammerzell responded to questions about ATMs that can be programmed to reject EBT cards. He explained the greatest challenge for DOR is monitoring the use of EBT cards at ATMs located in liquor stores because of the volume of licensed liquor stores and the different types of business models, which includes both large warehouse stores and small independently owned stores. Committee questions and discussion continued.



02:03 PM



Mr. Kammerzell and the committee dialogued about the effective monitoring of ATM machines in liquor stores.



02:05 PM -- SB 16-147



Senators Newell and Martinez Humenik, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 16-147. Senator Newell discussed the number of Colorado residents who have either attempted or completed suicide. She discussed the need for the bill to protect Coloradoans and explained that the bill establishes the zero suicide model within the Office of Suicide Prevention of the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Through system-level adoption and implementation in health systems, the model is intended to reduce suicide rates in Colorado. The bill encourages CDPHE, the Office of Behavioral Health within the Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to work together to improve suicide prevention training programs for health care personnel and to provide professional development resources and training opportunities. The bill encourages the following organizations to adopt the seven core tenets of the national zero suicide model on or before July 1, 2019:

• community mental health centers;
• hospitals;
• the state crisis services system;
• regional health and behavioral health systems;
• substance abuse treatment systems; and
• physical and mental health clinics in educational institutions.

The bill encourages CDPHE to request and analyze existing data in order to better understand suicide and how to prevent it. It requires CDPHE to include a summary of its activities under the model in a report submitted to the Office of Behavioral Health and annually to the General Assembly. Senator Martinez Humenik continued to provided additional statistical information about suicide.



02:14 PM -- Jarrod Hindman, CDPHE, testified in support of the bill.



02:22 PM -- Susan Marine, Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado, testified in support in the bill.



02:31 PM -- Linda White, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:39 PM -- Erin Wilkinson, Suicide Prevention Commission of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She discussed suicide rates among veterans and active duty military.



02:47 PM -- Cole Hancock, Colorado Youth Advisory Council, testified in support of the bill.











02:48 PM -- Maranda Miller, Centennial Mental Health Center, testified in support of the bill.



02:55 PM -- Dr. Barb Becker, Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network, testified in support of the bill.



02:58 PM -- Paul Bretz, Suicide Prevention Commission of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



03:02 PM -- Dr. Abigail Tucker, Community Health Center, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Tucker responded to questions from the committee.



03:15 PM -- Dr. Jonathan Gordon, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Gordon responded to questions from committee members.



03:22 PM -- Frank Cornelia, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified in support of the bill.



03:26 PM -- Michael Lott-Manier, Mental Health America of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



03:30 PM -- Dr. Liza Tupa, DHS, testified in support of the bill.



03:31 PM -- Evie Hudak, Colorado Parent Teacher Association, spoke in support of the bill.



03:34 PM



Senator Lundberg laid the bill over. Senators Martinez Humenik and Newell made closing comments.



03:40 PM



The meeting adjourned.