S_HHS_2019A 02/07/2019 01:33:49 PM Committee Summary

David Oppenheim, Governor's Office, introduced Jill Ryan, appointee to the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. 

Ms. Ryan told the committee about her professional experience and why she would like to serve as the Executive Director of CDPHE.

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

Ms. Ryan responded to committee questions.

Committee questions continued.

President Garcia, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-001. The bill extends the Medication-assisted Treatment Pilot Program administered within the University of Colorado for two years and increases its appropriation from $500,000 to $5,000,000 from the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund, with any uncommitted money reverting to the fund at the end of FY 2020-21. Counties in the San Luis Valley — Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Huerfano, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache — and up to an additional two counties where a need is demonstrated are eligible to participate in the program, in addition to Pueblo and Routt counties where the program currently operates. The administration of the program is shifted from the College of Nursing to the Center for Research into Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Support Strategies at the University of Colorado. Finally, the bill modifies the program's advisory board and extends its reporting requirements through June 30, 2021.  President Garcia distributed a handout and amendments L.002 and L.003 (Attachments B, C, and D).

Robert Valuck, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill.

Tanya Sorrell, University of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Dr. Valuck responded to questions.

Dr. Patrick Smith, Community Health Centers, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Justin Hanel, Valley-Wide Health, testified in support of the bill.

Angelina Martinez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Bev Strnad, Alamosa Public Health, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Helen Sigmond, Alamosa County Commissioner, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Steven Romero, Costilla County Commissioner, testified in support of the bill.

Allison Daley, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Cristen Bates, Colorado Department of Human Services, told the committee she was available for questions.

Jose Esquibel, Office of the Attorney General, testified in support of the bill.

Ruth Nerenberg, League of Women Voters and the Substance Use Response Ecosystem, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment E).

Dr. Valuck, Mr. Esquibel, and Ms. Nerenberg responded to questions.

Senator Garcia made closing comments on the bill.

Senator Garcia, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-065. The bill directs the Board of Health (board) in CDPHE to designate one or more peer health assistance program to provide assistance to emergency medical service (EMS) providers dealing with physical, emotional, or psychological conditions that are affecting their ability to work. The peer health assistance program(s) must:

• be available to all certified EMS providers, and take referrals from the board;

• provide counseling and support to EMS providers;

• provide education and assistance relating to physical, emotional, and psychological conditions; and

• evaluate the extent of these conditions and, as needed, refer the EMS provider for treatment and monitor the status of that treatment.

The program will be financed by a fee collected upon initial certification and certification renewal of EMS providers beginning January 1, 2021. The fee will be set by the board and may be adjusted annually to reflect utilization of the program and inflation. The payments collected are custodial funds that are not subject to appropriation by the General Assembly; the funds may be used only by the nonprofit administering entity and provider(s) designated by the board. The use of the money does not constitute state fiscal year spending under TABOR.

Randy Kuykendall, CDPHE, testified in support of the bill.

Moe Keller, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Pace, Peer Assistance Services, told the committee that she is available for questions.

Dennis Elberg, Colorado Professional Firefighters, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Senator Garcia responded to questions.

Mr. Kuykendall responded to questions.

Senator Garcia responded to questions. Committee discussion followed about amendment L.002 (Attachment G).