Date: 04/09/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1186

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 15-1186 to the Committee on ApproPASS


02:48 PM -- HB 15-1186

 Senator Steadman presented House Bill 15-1186, concerning home- and community-based services for children with autism. House Bill 15-1186 was recommended by the Joint Budget Committee, this bill expands eligibility for the Autism Waiver Program by increasing the age limit from six years of age to eight years of age. If a child enrolls prior to his or her eighth birthday, he or she is eligible to receive services for a total of three full years. The bill removes the existing per child spending cap of $25,000 per year and instead directs the Medical Services Board (board) in the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to set the per child spending cap each year based on available appropriations. Other provisions of the bill remove language about prioritizing enrollment in the program so as to reduce the waiting list and require ongoing program evaluations be completed each June 1. The bill appropriates a total of $5,207,767 to the HCPF from the General Fund and the Colorado Autism Treatment Fund and assumes that a total of $5,408,801 in matching federal funds will be received.


02:55 PM -- Marijo Rymer, The Arc of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. She read the testimony of a parent who has a child with autism. Ms. Rymer also read the testimony of Carol Meredith of the Arc of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties whose adult son has autism.


03:03 PM -- Dr. Corry Robinson Rosenberg, JFK Partners, spoke in support of the bill. She spoke about the need to increase the age that children can access the waiver and the length of time the child can remain on the waiver. She provided a copy of her testimony (Attachment C). Dr. Robinson Rosenberg responded to questions from the committee about diagnosing children with autism.

150409 AttachC.pdf150409 AttachC.pdf


03:12 PM -- Jesse Ogas, Firefly Autism, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Ogas read the testimony of Ken Winn (Attachment D), and spoke about his own experience as an employee of Firefly Autism.

150409 AttachD.pdf150409 AttachD.pdf


03:17 PM -- Josh Rael, Alliance Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. He stated that Colorado's community centered boards support the bill and look forward to servicing this population. Mr. Rael provided a handout to the committee (Attachment E).

150409 AttachE.pdf150409 AttachE.pdf


03:19 PM -- Kristen Kaiser, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill. She discussed her clinical experience and her experience as the mother of three children with autism. She told the committee about her family's experience receiving services through the autism waiver. Ms. Kaiser provided a copy of her testimony (Attachment F).

150409 AttachF.pdf150409 AttachF.pdf


03:23 PM

Senator Steadman made closing comments. Senator Steadman responded to questions from the committee about the funding of the waiver, and the number of children who would be eligible for the program. Committee discussion followed concerning the fiscal note and the ultimate cost to the state of the waiver expansion.

BILL:HB15-1186
TIME: 03:36:14 PM
MOVED:Crowder
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1186 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Aguilar
Yes
Martinez Humenik
Yes
Newell
Yes
Crowder
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS