Date: 01/21/2010
Final
Briefing from JBC
COMMITTEE ON JOINT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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01:32 PM -- Briefing from the Joint Budget Committee
Senator Keller introduced the members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) to the Joint House and Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Senator Keller provided an overview for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (DHCPF). She provided an update regarding the hospital provider fee and stated that the waiver has been submitted and that the DHCPF is awaiting approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Senator Keller stated that the DHCPF estimates approximately $442 million in additional funding for Medicaid and the Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP) for FY 2009-10. She explained to the committee that the JBC will recommend delaying the payment to Medicaid providers by one week, which would leave about $90 million in the General Fund. She indicated that community health clinics will most likely receive more cuts in the upcoming year.
01:41 PM
Senator Keller spoke to the recommendations for the Department of Human Services' budget. She highlighted that the department has already seen several FTE reductions from the consolidation of the Statewide Information Technology system. She also spoke to the closure of a unit at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan. Senator Keller stated that the department has taken a 8 1/2 percent cut cumulatively. She stated that the department's highest base reduction priority is to change eligibility for the Old Age Pension (OAP) Program. Changes would exclude sponsored legal immigrants from eligibility for the program and would institute a five-year bar for immigrants, with some exceptions. The proposal will require a statutory change and, if enacted, is projected to provide $14.4 million in OAP cash fund savings in FY 2010-11 and $28.9 million in savings in FY 2011-12. Responding to Representative Gerou's question, Senator Keller stated that there are approximately 4,467 legal residents that will be affected by this change.
Senator Keller spoke about the Child Welfare Action Committee recommendations, specifically noting the recommendation by the committee to have the state administer the child welfare system and the reaction by many counties who currently provide these services.
01:47 PM
Senator Keller spoke to restructuring community centered boards which serve as a single entry point for individuals with developmental disabilities.
01:50 PM
Senator Newell asked how the Department of Human Services was dealing with the cuts to the department considering its increase in caseload. Senator Keller responded that there has been a 45 percent increase in Medicaid caseload and that approximately 500,000 people are currently enrolled in Medicaid. Representative Kerr asked what the total population of the state participates in Medicaid. Senator White responded that about 12 percent of the state's population receives Medicaid benefits, with the national average being about 20 percent. Members asked several questions about the closure of the Grand Junction Regional Center. Senator Keller explained to the committee where the residents affected by the cuts are going and stated that the facility stopped taking new applicants as of March 2009. Senator Keller also stated that the facility is over 100 years old and requires extensive renovations that would cost the state more than the actual value of the building.
02:03 PM
Senator Keller spoke to the recommendations regarding the Department of Public Health and Environment. She stated that as a result of cash fund transfers from the Hazardous Substance Response Fund (HSRF) to the General Fund in FY 2008-09 and FY 2009-10 and declining revenues from tipping fees, the department estimates that the HSRF will become insolvent in FY 2015-16 and may become functionally inoperable in FY 2011-12. She indicated that the tipping fee may have to be increased.
02:09 PM
The committee took a brief recess.