Kolker, Marchman Bill to Increase Access to School-Based Health Care Clears Senate

Legislation would expand the existing School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, that would increase access to school-based health care cleared the Senate today.

School-based health centers are located in schools throughout Colorado and provide primary medical and behavioral health care to children and young adults. Currently, the School-Based Health Center Grant Program supports the establishment, expansion, and ongoing operations of school-based health centers. SB24-034 would expand the grant program to school-linked health care services including telehealth services and mobile health units.

“For years, the state’s School-Based Health Center Grant Program has been instrumental in providing quality health care to students who need it most,” Kolker said. “Expanding this successful program to include services like telehealth will help ensure every student seeking care can receive it in a timely, convenient manner. I’m thrilled to see us take another step forward to ensure every Colorado kid has the support they need to thrive.”

“School-based health centers deliver critical care where and when students need it,” said Marchman. “However we still see gaps in care, especially in rural school districts. This new legislation would allow medical entities, in partnership with school districts, to use grant funding to support telehealth, mobile services and referrals for nearby services. This reduces barriers to care by bringing primary medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care directly to school communities.”

SB24-034 will now move to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.