S_HHS_2020A 01/30/2020 04:32:10 PM Committee Summary

Senator Danielson, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-022 and provided a handout (Attachment A).  The bill modifies the Colorado Health Service Corps program in the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to include geriatric advanced practice providers.  The bill allows geriatric advanced practice providers who meet certain criteria to participate in an education loan repayment program.  In order to be eligible, a geriatric advanced practice provider must agree to spend at least fifty percent of their time providing geriatric care in a health professional shortage area in Colorado and enter into a contract to provide such care for at least two years.  In addition, they must have completed at least one of the following:

• a formal, postgraduate geriatrics training program;
• formal geriatrics training within an advanced practice provider training program and at least twelve months of postgraduate clinical experience, at least half of which was spent providing geriatric care;
• at least twenty-four months of postgraduate clinical experience, at least half of which was spent providing geriatric care; or
• a geriatric track clinical experience during an advanced practice provider training program, in which at least half of the clinical training time was spent providing geriatric care.

The bill also updates the definition of "state designated health professional shortage area" to include a shortage of geriatric advanced practice providers and increases the membership of the Colorado Health Service Corps Advisory Council from fifteen to sixteen with the addition of a physician who provides geriatric care or a geriatric advanced practice provider.

Dr. Robert Schwartz, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Skotti Church, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Bob Brocker, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Rachel Minore, Alzheimer's Association, testified in support of the bill.

Francesca Mase, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members discussed the bill.

Senators Ginal and Todd, bill sponsors, presented the Senate Bill 20-040 and distributed a packet of information (Attachment B). This bill enacts the Genetic Counselor Licensure Act, requiring genetic counselors to be licensed by the Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) starting on June 1, 2021.  The bill establishes the licensing requirements, including  being certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.  In addition, the bill sets forth the application and renewal processes, continuing education requirements, the scope of practice for licensees, rulemaking authority, insurance requirements, and disciplinary procedures.  The bill does not restrict the practice of certain individuals, such as doctors, students, federal employees, or individuals from another state or country who are certified.  The bill is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2027, after a sunset review.  Finally, the bill creates two new misdemeanors for practicing genetic counseling without a license.

Senator Ginal responded to questions.

Carol Walton, Children's Hospital Colorado and National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC), testified in support of the bill.

Lisa Ku, University of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Mark Lovell, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Mary Freivogel, NSGC, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Michael Nicoletti, Department of Regulatory Agencies, testified against the bill.

Jeanette Hensley, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Edie Busam, Colorado Radiological, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Todd made closing comments.

Senator Ginal made closing comments.

The testimony of Butch Lewis from David's Hope was read.

Duke Rumely, Sober AF Entertainment, testified in support of the bill.

Lacey Hays, Sober AF Entertainment, testified in support of the bill.

Jade Woodard, Illuminate Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Trina Faatz, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

James Gannon, Advocates for Recovery Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Heather Thompson, Elephant Circle, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Rob Valuck, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee questions.

Lauren Snyder, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Priola made closing comments.  Yelana Love, Office of Legislative Legal Services, explained amendments L.001, L.004, and L.005 (Attachments C, D, and E).  The committee discussed the amendments.

Senator Winter, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-007.  The bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) and contracted entities to assess and study issues related to substance use disorder treatment, as well as to provide services and support for treatment.

Kate Harris, Division of Insurance, told responded to committee questions.

Karlee Tebbatt, Colorado Association of Health Plans, discussed various amendments her organization would like to see implemented.

Virginia Morrison Love, American Association of Health Plans, discussed areas of the bill that her organization would like amended.

The witnesses continued to responded to questions.

Dr. Robert Valuck, Colorado Consortium for the Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse, testified in support of the bill.

Jay Voight, Cedar and Colorado Providers Association, testified in support of the bill.

Lauren Snyder, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Chris Stock, Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill.

Trina Faatz, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Valuck responded to committee questions.

Frank Cornelia, Colorado Behavioral Health Centers, testified in support of the bill.

Matthew Hoag, Denver Health, testified in support of the bill.

Brad Sjostrom, Colorado Providers Association, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Duke Rumely, Sober AF Entertainment and SAFE, testified in support of the bill.

Mila Long, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Terri Smith, representing herself, testified in support.

Senator Winter discussed amendments L.001, L.002. and L.003 (Attachments F, G, and H).

Committee members commented on the bill.