S_HHS_2024A 01/25/2024 01:30:52 PM Committee Summary

Senate Bill 24-018 was laid over.

Senators Danielson and Ginal introduced Senate Bill 24-040, which appropriates additional state funding for senior services in FY 2024-25, requires that funding increase by inflation starting in FY 2025-26, and requires an adequacy study of that funding.

Ms. Jayla Sanchez Warren, representing Denver Regional Council of Governments, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Jody Barker, representing Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Tom McConaghy, representing Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Ms. Amanda De Bock, representing Meals on Wheels Mesa County, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Frank Bruno, representing Via Mobility Services, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Chris Lynn, representing Seniors Resource Center, testified in support of the bill.

Leslie Kalechman, representing AARP Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Jeanette Hensley, representing Colorado Center for Aging, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Coral Cosway, representing Alzheimer's Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The committee resumed.

Senators Danielson and Ginal provided closing remarks.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

Senators Fields and Michaelson Jenet introduced Senate Bill 24-007, which requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to contract with a third-party entity to administer a behavioral health first aid training program.

Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

Ms. Betsy Molgano, representing Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council , testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Jasmine Breeden, representing WellPower, testified in support of the bill.

Maranda Miller, representing Centennial Mental Health Center, testified in support of the bill.

David Galvan, representing Mental Health First Aid Colorado , testified in support of the bill.

Frank Cornelia, representing Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Lena Heilmann, representing Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, was available to answer committee questions.

Ms. Kaitlyn Tollefson, representing The National Alliance on Mental Illness, testified in support of the bill.

Evie Hudak, representing Colorado PTA, testified in support of the bill.

Additional written testimony can be found in Attachment B.

Senator Fields and Senator Michaelson Jenet provided closing remarks.

Cari Frank, representing
the Center for Improving Value in Health Care presented on her organization.



Ms. Frank discussed the rising costs of health care and the data her organization
collects.



A copy of the
presentation was provided to the committee (Attachment D).