Bill Tracker

League supports this bill which expands income tax credits for health care preceptors who provide uncompensated mentoring experiences for eligible health professional students in rural areas of Colorado. Health care access is enhanced through primary care preceptorships and the preceptorships also serve to enhance Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through the extension of geographic areas covered by these preceptorships. The bill extends credits to 2033, adds health care professional providers and expands the geographical definitions. The bill was introduced in the House 1.12.22 and referred to the Health and Insurance Committee, where it is not yet scheduled for a hearing.

Update: 

Heard in Health and Insurance, the bill passed House Finance 9-2 on 2-17-22 and was referred to Appropriations.

The bill requires the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind to continue the operations of the state auxiliary services indefinitely and expand the program to include all state agencies. The state auxiliary services program works to facilitate and coordinate communications for the affected population including such services as sign language interpretation and human-generated captioning. Currently state auxiliary services are limited to some state agencies such as Colorado State Courts and administrative hearings. This bill would expand the program to all state agencies.  League supports services that address Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (JEDI) which this bill reinforces.

The bill was introduced in the House 2-4-22 and assigned to Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services, where it will be heard on 2-18-22, upon adjournment.

Update: The bill was heard in Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services 2-18-22, where it passed 11-1 and was referred to Finance and heard on 3-3-22.  It passed Finance, as amended on a vote of 8-3 and was referred to Appropriations.

The bill creates the primary care and behavioral health statewide integration grant program in the department of health care policy and financing (HCPF) to provide grants to primary care clinics for implementation of evidence-based whole-person health through integrated care models. The bill requires HCPF, in collaboration with the behavioral health administration (BHA) and other agencies, to develop a universal contract for behavioral health services.

League supports health care innovation, including integrated care models, which improves quality, access and affordability in health care.

The bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to renovate a building at the mental health institute at Fort Logan to create at least 16 additional beds for persons in need of residential behavioral health treatment. The bill authorizes the new beds to be used
for persons needing competency restoration services until the backlog of such persons is eliminated. The bill also directs DHS and HCPF to create, develop, or contract to add at least 125 additional beds at mental health residential treatment facilities throughout the state for adults in need of ongoing supportive services. The bill creates the primary care and behavioral health statewide integration grant program in HCPF to provide grants to primary care clinics for implementation of evidence-based whole-person health through integrated care models. The bill requires HCPF, in collaboration with the behavioral health administration (BHA) and other agencies, to develop a universal contract for behavioral health services.

League supports health care access which the bill advances through increased facilities and coordinated programs.

Concerning an increase in the number of residential behavioral health beds, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

League supports this bill which permits community colleges to offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing to students pursuing a certificate in nursing. League supports health care access which is enhanced through workforce education opportunities. Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (JEDI) may be promoted through workforce education opportunities in the community colleges. The bill was introduced in the House 1-12-22 and assigned to Education, where it will be heard on February 9, no specified time.

The bill creates the Unused Drug Opportunity Program to provide donated unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs to eligible patients at no cost, with priority given to certain patients. The State Board of Pharmacy is required to adopt rules for the program, and the bill provides for limited immunity from civil and criminal liability for drug manufacturers, donors and receivers.  The bill outlines requirements for the donation and receipt of drugs. League supports increased access to health care, affordability and advancements in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) which this bill would promote due to the population served.

The bill was introduced 2-1-22, assigned to the Health and Human Services Committee, where it had an initial hearing for discussion only on 3/2/22.