What’s Happening in Colorado
* After a dramatic weekend, the House spent over 20 hours of debate on three gun-related bills.
Along party lines, the House voted to pass: SB23-168, which would make it easier to sue gun manufacturers, SB23-170, which would expand the state’s red flag law by allowing more people – including licensed mental health providers and educators – to petition for judges to take guns away from people deemed a risk, and SB23-169, which would raise the age to purchase firearms to 21 years old. The bills must undergo a reconciliation process of amendments to the Senate version before headed to Governor Polis’ desk for approval.
* Two bills are continuing to move through the legislative process that would reduce harm for people that use substances, moving to the second chamber.
HB-1202: Overdose Prevention Center Authorization would allow cities to operate life-saving overdose prevention centers and HB23-1167: Reporting Of Emergency Overdose Events would clarify existing Good Samaritan Laws and extend immunity from arrest and prosecution to good Samaritans trying to save lives. Both bills passed the House earlier this month and will be acted upon early next month.
A View from Washington, D.C.
* Senator Michael Bennett (D-CO) and Senator Ron Wyden (R-OR) introduced the Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act, that would expand access to mental and behavioral health services by establishing parity in Medicare and Medicaid.
This bill would overhaul reimbursement rates to increase mental health coverage and encourage behavioral health and physical health integration. Mental Health Colorado supports this legislation and will keep you updated on any movement.
* The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced two funding opportunities for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) expansion, totaling $123.6 million.
Earlier this month, HHS awarded 15 states each with $1 million, one-year CCBHC planning grants, the first time these planning grants have been available since the program began in 2015. Although Colorado applied, our state did not receive this grant.
* The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the first time an over-the-counter version of Narcan, an opioid overdose antidote. This action by the FDA will expand access to this life-saving medication directly to consumers.
