Trio of Michaelson Jenet Bills to Improve Access to Health Care Clear Committee

Bills would create a streamlined behavioral care system for youth and address health care workforce shortages

DENVER, CO – Three bills sponsored by Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, aimed at improving access to health care cleared the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today.

“Every Coloradan deserves access to high quality, affordable health care regardless of their age, income, or zip code,” Michaelson Jenet said. “Legislation we’re advancing today will help children get the behavioral health care they need efficiently and at costs that won’t break the bank. We’re also working to address health care workforce shortages by making it easier to provide telehealth and mental health care services in Colorado, helping secure access to care for every Coloradan who needs it.”

SB24-141, also sponsored by Senator Kevin Van Winkle, R-Highlands Ranch, would allow out-of-state health care providers to register and practice telehealth in Colorado. To apply for telehealth registration, applicants would be required to possess an active and unencumbered license, certificate, registration, or credential issued by a governmental authority in another state.

SB24-059, also sponsored by Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, would establish the Office of the Children’s Behavioral Health Statewide System of Care in the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to develop and implement a comprehensive children’s behavioral health care system. The system would allow children and youth up to 21 years of age who are currently uninsured or on Medicaid to have a single point of access to behavioral health care. The bill would also require the office to study the cost of providing services to all children regardless of payer, insurance, and income.

Under the bill, the BHA would also explore data collection and workforce innovations, and would implement programs to encourage youth to continue their education and work in shortage areas within the system of care.

Finally, SB24-115 would modify requirements for licensed mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and addiction counselors, to practice in Colorado. The bill would remove the requirement that mental health professionals provide clients with an explanation of levels of regulation on their profession including information on the differences between licensure, registration, and certification.

It would also add a Colorado jurisprudence exam for certain mental health professionals and remove the requirement of the licensure exam for master's level social work license, which has been shown to disproportionately benefit White test takers. Finally, the bill would allow for a process for renewing licenses.

SB24-141 and SB24-059 now head the Appropriations Committee, while SB24-115 moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.