Date: 04/10/2006
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1395
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
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05:16 PM -- House Bill 06-1395
Representative Buescher, sponsor, presented the bill regarding residential child health care. He stated the bill's fiscal note has not yet been completed but he anticipates the financial impact will be approximately $10 million. A bill summary was distributed to committee members (Attachment L).
The following persons testified:
05:24 PM -- Steve Bates, Department of Human Services (DHS), spoke in support of the bill. He stated the bill is a result of a year-long collaboration among DHS, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, counties, and providers. The bill replaces the residential treatment centers (RTC) system with a new two-part system: fee-for-service and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities.
05:27 PM -- Barbara Drake, El Paso County Department of Human Services, spoke in support of the bill with amendments. She stated the bill will allow the state to better utilize federal Medicaid dollars and will greatly benefit children and families.
05:31 PM -- Dr. Skip Barber, a coalition of RTCs, stated the bill is meant to comply with a federal requirements and deadline.
05:33 PM -- Peg Long, Colorado Association of Family and Children's Agencies (CAFCA), stated her support for the bill's provisional therapist license. It allows an interim status to meet the federal deadline.
05:34 PM -- Gayle Fidler, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), stated her support for the bill with amendments. She stated concerns with provisional licenses.
05:35 PM -- Barbara Prehmus, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, spoke in support of the bill. She stated RTC's use of Medicaid dollars had come under scrutiny by the federal government. Representative Buescher clarified the bill's reference to the "board" is a specific reference to the Medical Services Board.
05:40 PM
Representative Buescher made concluding remarks. Representative McGihon stated action would be taken on the bill on March 12.