h_phc_2017a_2017-04-18t13:35:22z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/18/2017

Location: HCR 0112

01:36 PM -- HB 17-1292



Representative Young, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1292 to the committee and distributed a handout and amendment L.001 (Attachments A and B). The bill establishes guidelines and new processes relating to the establishment of provider rates for licensed out-of-home placement providers that are paid by counties using child welfare block grant funding. By September 29, 2017, the Department of Human Services (DHS) must contract with an independent entity to conduct a salary survey and an actuarial analysis of the delivery of child welfare services, and to develop a new rate setting methodology for out-of-home-placement providers. The contractor is to involve the DHS, counties, and placement providers in the development of the new rate setting methodology, and if any of these stakeholders disagree with the rate methodology developed, they may submit alternative methodologies to the JBC by February 1, 2018. The DHS must submit the new rate setting methodology developed by the contractor to the JBC by April 2, 2018. The new methodology must be implemented by July 1, 2018, except for rates that require approval by the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.



170418 AttachA.pdf170418 AttachB.pdf



The bill specifies various factors that the DHS must include in the ongoing development of the rate setting methodology, including cost-of-living adjustments and provider rate increases approved by the General Assembly. The rate setting methodology must be reviewed annually by the DHS with the involvement of counties and placement providers. Beginning September 1, 2018, and each September 1 thereafter, the DHS, with input from counties, must submit a report to the JBC on workload and cost changes concerning child welfare services.



01:39 PM -- Jeff Holiday, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill. Mr. Holiday responded to questions from the committee.



01:46 PM -- Brian Brant and Tim Russell, Fostering Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



01:51 PM -- Karen Yarberry, Jefferson Hills, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Yarberry responded to questions from the committee.



01:55 PM -- Dr. Skip Barber, Colorado Association of Family and Children's Agencies, testified in support of the bill.



02:01 PM -- Dennis Disparros, Colorado Department of Human Services, responded to questions from the committee.



02:09 PM



Representative Young described amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

02:10 PM



Representative Young responded to questions from the committee and gave concluding remarks.



02:12 PM



Robin Smart, Joint Budget Committee Staff, came to the table to respond to committee questions.