B517BC74660AC2CF872586BD006C1BAF Hearing Summary

Representative Lontine,
bill sponsor, introduced SB21-128. The bill transfers final authority over
the Nursing Home Penalty Cash Fund from the Department of Health Care Policy
and Financing (HCPF) to the Department of Public Health and Environment
(CDPHE).  It likewise transfers rulemaking authority, the authority
to set a minimum reserve for the cash fund, and board oversight.  In
addition, the bill:

• requires both
  departments to annually assess and review emergency funding needs and response
  plans for potential nursing facility closures, directs HCPF to administer
  emergency funding, and makes such funding continuously appropriated to
  the department;

broadens the goals
for projects that can be awarded grants from the fund;

removes the prohibition
on non-state, governmental entities from applying for grants;

removes the $10,000
limit on annual administrative costs and directs both departments to jointly
develop an annual administrative budget; and

extends the period
during which CDPHE must notify a nursing home facility after identifying
a violation.

Committee members asked questions of the bill sponsor.

Mr. Randy Kuykendall, representing Colorado Department of Public Health, testified in support of the bill. The witness responded to questions from committee members.

Mr. Colin Laughlin, representing Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, answered questions from committee members.

The previous witnesses continued to respond to questions from committee members.