S_HHS_2025A 03/12/2025 12:26:03 PM Committee Summary

Senator Cutter, primary bill sponsor, presented House Bill 25-1003 which revises state statute to align with a recent change in the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which combined two existing Medicaid waiver programs for children – the Children’s Home and Community-Based Services waiver and the Children with Life-Limiting Illness waiver – into the Children with Complex Health Needs waiver program. The new program includes respite care, palliative care, and bereavement services for eligible individuals.

Senator Cutter provided closing remarks.

The committee recessed.

The committee resumed.

Senators Cutter and Jodeh, primary bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 25-017 which creates the Child Care Health Consultation Program and the Pediatric Primary Care Practice Program in the Department of Early Childhood to support early childhood health.

Kendra Dunn, representing Colorado Department of Early Childhood, testified to amend the bill.

Theresa Rapstine,
representing Healthy Child Care Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado,
testified in support of the bill. Erin Bluth, representing themself, testified
in support of the bill. Evie Hudak, representing Colorado PTA, testified
in support of the bill. Greg Spitzer, representing themself, testified
in support of the bill. Diana Goldberg, representing Colorado Children's
Alliance - SungateKids Child Advocacy Center, testified in support of the
bill. Alison Hoppe, representing Denver Health, testified in support of
the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.



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

Senator Cutter explained amendment L.002 (Attachment D).

The bill sponsors provided closing remarks.