S_HHS_2022A 04/18/2022 01:31:59 PM Committee Summary

Senator Ginal and Senator Simpson, co-prime bill sponsors, introduced Senate Bill 22-186, which creates the Rare Disease Advisory Council (council) in the Department of Public Health and Environment to study and make recommendations concerning the needs of individuals with rare diseases. The council consists of 12 voting members appointed by the chairs of the House Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee, the House Health and Insurance Committee, and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The Director of the Office of Health Equity or their designee serves as an ex officio nonvoting member. Initial appointments will be made by October 1, 2022.

Committee members asked questions of the sponsors.

Annissa Reed, representing the National Organization for Rare Disorders, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Ted Maynard, representing the Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Siri Vaeth, representing the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute, testified in support of the bill.

Katherine Connolly,
representing the Chronic Care Collaborative, testified in support of the
bill.



Pete Kirchhof, representing self, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Aidan Wiemer, representing self, testified in a neutral position on
the bill.



Erica Wright, representing Children's Hospital Colorado, testified to amend
the bill.



Committee members asked questions of the panel.

 

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



Committee members discussed a handout (Attachment E).

Senator Ginal and Senator Simpson introduced and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment F).

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Senator Danielson and Senator Petterson, co-prime bill sponsors, introduced Senate Bill 22-189, which beginning in FY 2023-24, creates the Colorado Multidisciplinary Geriatric Provider Pipeline Program (program) and the Geriatric Training Executive Advisory Committee Colorado Multidisciplinary Geriatric Provider Pipeline Program. The program is created in the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to coordinate and expand hands-ongeriatric-focused training opportunities for clinical graduate students studying medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, psychology, and social work at participating institutions of higher education.

Committee members asked questions and made comments to the sponsors.

Dr. Carol Morrow, representing the Colorado Dental Association, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Alyn Whelchel, representing the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Sing Palat, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

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

Leslie Kalechman, representing AARP Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions of the panel.

Additional written testimony was provided to the committee (Attachment G).

Senator Danielson and Senator Petterson, introduced and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment H).

Senator Danielson provided closing remarks.