5CE456AB583AE73A8725896700102256 Hearing Summary

Senator Mullica and Senator Simpson, co-prime bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-002 concerning requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to seek federal approval to pay for services provided by community health workers under Medicaid by July 1, 2024, and to begin implementing this coverage once approval is received. Prior to implementing the new benefit, HCPF must hold four public stakeholder meetings on community health work. Stakeholders include the community health workers, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), health care providers, and schools and school-based health clinics.

Ms. Andrea Dwyer,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Orlando Poole,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Dr. Patricia  Valverde,
representing University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, testified
in support of the bill.



Dr. Linda Burhansstipanov,
representing Alliance of CO CHWs, PN, PdS, testified in support of the
bill.



Committee members
made comments to the panel.

Dr. Jennifer Edwards,
representing Trailhead Institute, testified in support of the bill.



Mrs. Sandimar
Timberman, representing Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support
of the bill.



Manisha Dubey,
representing Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, testified in support
of the bill.

Michael Crews, representing
Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials (CALPHO), testified
in support of the bill.



Kelly Erb, representing
Colorado Rural Health Center, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Jill Dean,
representing Chronic Care Collaborative, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Carol Pace,
representing AARP, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written
testimony can be found in Attachment J.

Senator Mullica introduced
amendment L.002 (Attachment K).



Kristine McLaughlin
with legislative council staff provided background on the impact of the
amendment to the fiscal note.



Senator Mullica
explained amendment L.003 (Attachment L).



Committee members
asked questions of Ms. McLaughlin.

Committee members provided closing remarks.