S_HHS_2022A 04/25/2022 01:33:11 PM Committee Summary

Laura Knudtson, representing Parent Possible, testified in support of the bill.

The sponsors provided closing remarks.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Senator Fields and Senator Hinrichsen, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-211, which transfers ownership of all or part of the Ridge View Campus from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Department of Personnel and Administration for use by the Division of Housing in the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) as a supportive residential community for people experiencing homelessness. DOLA, in collaboration with the DHS, must develop a master plan for the redevelopment of the Ridge View Campus into the Ridge View Supportive Residential Community (community). The community must provide transitional housing, a continuum of behavioral health services and treatment, medical care, vocational training, and skill development for residents and the public. DOLA is required to select one or more contractors experienced in providing statewide integrated housing, health care, recovery treatment, and supportive service programs for people experiencing homelessness to establish the community. The administrator of the community must also work with local providers across the state to set up a referral system for clients to live at the community.

Committee members asked questions of the sponsors.

Ms. Kristin Toombs, representing the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, testified in support of the bill.

Yumiko Dougherty, representing the Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Mollie Bradlee, representing the Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions of the panel.

Mr. Kevin Lash, representing self, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Jerry Adamek, representing the Ridge View Academy Board of Directors, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Ed Greivel, representing self, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Brad Billingsley, representing the Ridge View School Board, testified in opposition to the bill.

Committee members asked questions of the panel.

The committee acknowledged those in attendance from Rite of Passage.

Committee members discussed amendment L.005.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Senator Petterson and Senator Rankin, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-177, which requires the Behavioral Health Administration to train new and existing navigators on the behavioral health safety net system services, behavioral health service delivery procedures, and social determinants of health resources; ensure that the care coordination infrastructure can direct individuals where to seek in-person or virtual navigation support; and require each administrative services organization to implement the behavioral health crisis response system. The bill requires the statewide care coordination infrastructure to include a cloud-based platform to allow providers that do not utilize electronic health records to actively participate in the care coordination infrastructure.

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

Sarah Staron, representing Young Invincibles, testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Linda Schiller, representing Young Invincibles, testified to amend the bill.

Senator Petterson asked questions of the panel.

Committee members asked questions of the bill sponsors.

Senator Jaquez Lewis and Senator Priola, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1302, which creates the Primary Care and Behavioral Health Statewide Integration Grant Program to be administered by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to provide grants to physical and behavioral health care providers for implementation of evidence-based clinical integration care models. In FY 2022-23, the bill appropriates $32.0 million to HCPF from the Behavioral and Mental Health Cash Fund for this purpose.

The bill sponsors provided closing remarks.

Senator Ginal and Senator Rankin, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-200, which creates the Rural Provider Access and Affordability Stimulus Grant Program in the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. It also creates an advisory committee and a cash fund for the program.

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

Executive Director Kim Bimestefer, representing the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members made comments to Director Bimestefer.

Senator Ginal and Senator Rankin provided closing remarks.

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

Courtney Justice, representing the Colorado Dental Hygienists' Association, testified to amend the bill.

Alyssa Aberle, representing the Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association, testified to amend the bill.

Committee members asked questions of the panel.