S_HHS_2019A 01/17/2019 01:34:15 PM Committee Summary

David Oppenheim, Governor's Office, introduced Kim Bimestefer, appointee to Executive Director of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF).

Ms. Bimestefer introduced herself to the committee and told the committee about her experience in the health care insurance field.  Ms. Bimestefer responded to questions from the committee and discussed the current options for health care coverage in the state.

 

The Governor's Executive Order and appointment letter for Ms. Bimestefer may be found in Attachment A.  Her resume and application are available at the State Archives.

 

Ms. Bimestefer discussed health care affordability, alternate payment methodologies, and HCPF's Hospital Transformation Program.  She discussed HCPF's efforts to engage stakeholders, including both patients and providers.

Ms. Bimestefer continued to dialogue with the committee about HCPF's actions to address healthcare disparities.

David Oppenheim, Governor's Office, introduced Michael Conway, appointee to the Commissioner of Insurance.

Mr. Conway presented his main priorities for the Division of Insurance, including a developing a reinsurance program and a community purchasing model, and working to increase the number of insurers in rural counties. He also discussed property and casualty insurance priorities for the division, working groups to evaluate best practices, insurance coverage for the cannabis industry, and insurer technology trends.

 

The Governor's Executive Order and appointment letter for Mr. Conway may be found in Attachment B.  His resume and application are available at the State Archives.

Mr. Conway responded to committee questions.

Senator Gardner, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-031. The bill increases the number of members appointed to the Child Welfare Allocations Committee by county commissioners from eight to ten, with the requirement that the county commissioners in the two counties with the greatest percentage of the state's child welfare caseload each appoint one member.  Correspondingly, the bill decreases the number of DHS appointments from five members to three members and removes the requirement that at least two members appointed by the DHS represent the two counties with the greatest percentage of the state's child welfare caseload.

Mark Waller, El Paso County Commissioner, testified in support of the bill.

Nancy Sharpe, Arapahoe County Commissioner, testified in support of the bill.

Don Mares, Denver County Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion and questions followed.

Senator Ginal responded to questions from the committee.

Christina Johnson, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Kelley Horton, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Anne McGihon, Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors, testified in support of the bill.

Kelly Erb, Colorado Rural Health Association, testified in support of the bill.

Committee questions followed.

Yelana Love, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions from committee members.

Senator Fields, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-010.  The bill modifies the Behavioral Health Care Professional Matching Grant Program, also known as the School Health Professionals Grant program, to allow grant funding to be used for behavioral health care services, including screenings, counseling, therapy, referrals to community organizations, and training for students and staff on behavioral health issues.  Behavioral health care services include services to prevent, identify, and treat substance use disorders, substance misuse, and mental health disorders.  

In addition, the bill:

• increases the amount of the appropriation that the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) may use for administration from 3 percent to 5 percent;
• allows grant recipients to use the funding to contract with a community partner for behavioral health care services, or to provide direct services by a school health professional through telehealth technology;
• requires that grant applicants include certain information in their applications, including data demonstrating the need for a school health professional, the extent to which the education provider has experienced certain factors that impact student wellbeing, and the extent to which the applicant prioritizes staff training related to behavioral health supports; and
• includes licensed mental health professionals in the definition of school health professional.

 

 

Senator Fields responded to questions.

Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, responded to committee questions.

Committee discussion followed.

Misti Ruthven, Colorado Department of Education (CDE), responded to questions from the committee.

Sarah Mathew, CDE, responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Fields distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment C).

Ms. Mathew and Ms. Ruthven responded to questions.

Valerie Schleht, Colorado-Cross Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Cam Short-Camilli, National Association of Social Workers and  Colorado School Social Work Association, testified in support of the bill.

Ellen Stern, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Committee comments and discussion followed.

Ms. Stern responded to committee questions.

Sarah Davidon, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Sonja Linman, Roaring Fork School District, testified in support of the bill.

Michelle Murphy, Rural Schools Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion and questions followed.

Shelby Ross, OLLS, responded to questions.

Dr. Davidon responded to questions.

Ms. Ross responded to questions. Committee discussion continued.

Evie Hudak, Colorado Parent Teacher Association, testified in support of the bill.

Tammy Wollbrinck, Colorado Association of School Nurses, testified in support of the bill.

Sarah Barnes, Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.  Committee discussion followed.

Erin Pier, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jacque Phillips, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Kellen Oliver, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Committee comments and questions followed.

Ms. Ross responded to questions.

Ms. Wollbrinck responded to questions. Committee discussion followed.

Alison Hargarten, Colorado Society of School Psychologists, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Fields discussed amendment L.003 (Attachement D).

Senator Fields discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment E).