Date: 01/25/2006
Final
Briefings by the Joint Budget Committee
COMMITTEE ON JOINT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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11:36 AM
Representative Plant began his discussions of the budgets of the Departments of Health Care Policy and Financing, Human Services, and Public Health and Environment. Representative Plant discussed materials provided to the committee (Attachment A - Note: Budget briefing documents made available to the committee were not available to staff). He described the budget hearings that the Joint Budget Committee held with the departments in December and January.
11:40 AM
Representative Plant began his discussion of the budget of the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing by noting that 22 percent of the state General Fund goes to this department. One of the biggest cost drivers for the department is the Medicaid caseload, which has increased dramatically over recent years. Senator Mitchell asked why a portion of the department's budget was not matched by federal funds. Representative Plant responded that the department administers programs other than Medicaid that do not receive federal funding. Representative Plant discussed an expected reversion of funds in the Medicaid program due to the change in the Medicaid case mix. He discussed new programs and increased enrollment due to the passage of Amendment 35, which increased taxes on tobacco products and directed the new revenue to fund health care programs. Representative Plant highlighted the decision items that the committee will consider during figure setting, including requested increases in the medical premiums services line. Representative Stafford asked if any of the decision items would restore funding to programs or services that were cut during the budget downturn. Representative Plant answered that decision item 11.5 increases provider payment rates by 3 percent. Senator Johnson asked what methodology the committee uses to determine how much to increase provider payment rates. Representative Plant discussed the factors the committee considers when setting provider rates, and stated that if the decision item is adopted, the new rates still will be less than Medicare rates. Representative Green asked if the rate increases would affect home- and community-based services providers. Representative Plant answered that the new rates would apply to home- and community-based providers. Representative Plant discussed the budget for Medicaid mental health services. Representative Cloer asked about the implementation of House Bill 05-1131.
11:57 AM
Representative Plant began his discussion of the Department of Human Services' budget. He highlighted the budget for the Division of Youth Corrections and the County administration budget line, which has been a cost driver within the department's budget due to the implementation of the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). He stated that CBMS is one of the biggest factors driving the Human Services' budget. Representative Boyd stated that the Joint Committee will be holding a meeting in the near future to discuss CBMS. Representative Plant listed the indigent mental health program and the Goebel lawsuit as other cost drivers in the Human Services' budget. Representative Plant discussed services for persons with developmental disabilities, stating that most, if not all, of the programs have waitlists. Representative Boyd asked if there was anything within the Department of Human Services budget to reflect changes in residential treatment center (RTC) funding. Representative Plant stated that a budget amendment had been submitted by the department to address the RTC situation.
12:07 PM
Representative Plant began his discussion of the Department of Public Health and Environment's budget, stating that the department only receives 0.2 percent of the state general fund. He discussed the distribution of tobacco settlement moneys and the changes to the distribution that were enacted in House Bill 04-1421. He encouraged the committee to review the budget documents distributed to the committee.