S_HHS_2021A 01/26/2021 01:34:49 PM Committee Summary

The meeting was called to order.  All SMART Act materials can be found on the committee's webpage here: http://leg.colorado.gov/content/hhi2021asmartact.

Michelle Colin, Deputy State Auditor, Office of the State Auditor (OSA), introduced the presentation and directed the committee to the documents they would be discussing.

Nina Frant, Audit Manager, OSA, spoke about the Suicide Prevention Performance Audit released in December. The audit found oppportunities for the office to ensure it receives full value from its grants and contracts. This included one recommendation related to improving contracts.

Ms. Frant continued with the Annual Report: Status of Audit Recommendations Not Fully Implemented. Ms. Frant pointed the committee to page five of the report which shows a table of recommendations that still need to be implemented as of year 2020. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has two outstanding recommendations.

Director Ryan introduced the presentation and discussed an overview of the services and programs offered by CDPHE. She referred to the mission and vision of CDPHE and gave an overview of the organizational structure of the department. The department has had to hire staff due to the increased need because of the pandemic. She spoke about the equity and diversity plan within the department.

Director Ryan discussed the performance management of the department including their Wildly Important Goals (WIGs). She discussed the efforts to reduce ozone within Colorado and the rule recommendations for 2021. These recommendations included the oil and gas rulemaking and the regional haze rulemaking.

Director Ryan discussed the third WIG, which is aimed at detecting, mitigating, and preventing per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). She informed the committee of ongoing efforts to test and treat water systems across Colorado and legislation that is aimed at helping CDPHE achieve this WIG.

Director Ryan moved on to the COVID-19 response WIG. She pointed the committee to a graph on slide 17 of the presentation showing Colorado's incident rate compared to the US. The department has seen success in bringing the rate down. She outlined the efforts related to achieving a 70% vaccination rate in Colorado for those aged 18 and older by September 2021.

Director Ryan discussed the adult flu immunization WIG. The goal is to increase the percentage of adults aged 65 and older protected against influenza through vaccination. She pointed the committee to a chart on slide 21 showing the number of individuals receiving the vaccine over the last several months.

Director Ryan discussed the childhood measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization WIG and their goal to increase the percentage of kindergarteners protected against MMR. She pointed to a graph on slide 24 showing the number of kindergarteners immunized over the last couple of years. She noted that there has been a decrease this past year because of COVID-19.

Director Ryan pointed the committee to a graph on slide 26 that shows the suicide rate trends. She discussed ways that the office is working to reduce these rates. These efforts include the Gun Shop Project and follow-up services after discharge.

Director Ryan discussed the WIG on healthy eating and active living for adults in an effort to maintain the prevalence of Colorado adults at a healthy weight.

Director Ryan discussed the WIG related to the prevention of HIV transmission. She noted that Colorado is seeing flat or increasing rates of transmission.

 

Director Ryan discussed the equity, diversity, and inclusion WIG. She spoke about the internal work that is being done to address health equity and declaring racism as a public health crisis.

Director Ryan discussed the WIG regarding enabling remote work. The department implemented the Continuity of Operations Plan.

Director Ryan pointed the committee to links for more information listed on slide 34.

The committee asked questions about the vaccine plan and how it is being rolled out to rural Colorado. Director Ryan answered with comments about the current vaccine plan and acknowledged that she will follow up with the Governor's Office about funding.

Trisha Oeth, CDPHE, elaborated on the efforts to reduce ozone levels in the state.

 

 

Committee questions continued. Director Ryan continued to respond to questions about the vaccine distribution. Dr. Eric France, Chief Medical Officer, CDPHE, answered a question about the vaccine. Director Ryan continued with the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Director Ryan referred to slides 35-36 to show an overview of the budget distribution. She gave an overview of the budget requests of CDPHE.

 Director Ryan gave a brief overview of the legislative agenda, regulatory agenda, and required reports.

 

Director Ryan made concluding remarks and answered committee questions.

Representative Lontine recommended CDPHE partner with the Department of Agriculture to help address some of the issues related to food deserts.

Representative Lontine called the meeting back to order.

Rick Garcia, Executive Director, Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), provided opening remarks to the committee.

Alison George, Director, Division of Housing, DOLA presented the Supportive Housing Program Report. She discussed the housing development projects that were funded and the individuals who were served.

Ms. George responded to questions from the committee.

Patty Salazar, Executive Director, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), introduced the presentation and the staff joining her. She gave a summary of the organization chart of DORA and an overview of the budget request for the upcoming year. She spoke about DORA's response to COVID-19 by transitioning staff to remote work.

Michael Conway, Commissioner of Insurance, DORA, gave an overview of the structure of the Division of Insurance. He discussed the response to COVID-19, including stakeholder engagement, industry-specific guidance, and fraud prevention education.

Commissioner Conway spoke about the affordability efforts underway by the office, including the reinsurance program, Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise, purchasing alliances, and increased investments in primary care. He summarized the Colorado Reinsurance Program Goals as well as the legislative and operating authority, funding, and premium impacts of the program.

Commissioner Conway gave an overview of the legislative highlights, including prescription drug affordability, colorado health insurance option, and the NAIC model credit for reinsurance.

Ronne Hines, Division Director for Professions and Occupations, DORA, gave an overview of the organization of the division and discussed their response to COVID-19 related to oversight and guidance coming from the office which allowed for their office to maintain continuity of services. She spoke about the department meeting a variety of its WIGs.

Ms. Hines summarized the legislative highlights, including sunset bills, proposal for emergency-triggered regulatory flexibility, and focus on compacts, mobility, and workforce needs.

 

Director Salazar and Ms. Hines responded to questions from the committee.

Committee members made comments about the importance of stakeholder engagement.

Director Salazar answered questions and responded to comments. Ms. Hines elaborated on Director Salazar's comments about engaging with stakeholders and informing the public about board meetings.

Ms. Hines responded to questions about confidentiality.

Representative Lontine made final comments.