Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands affordability and accessibility of Behavioral Health Services by creating the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration.

Highlights:

• Alleges the Colorado Behavioral Health Task Force advised access to care that (Sec. 1.e.II):

• Integrates physical and behavioral health;

• Is culturally and linguistically responsive, trauma-informed, and tailored to the individual and specific family needs; and

• Prioritizes all aspects of health, including wellness, and early interventions.

• Requires the Behavioral Health Administration to transform the current behavioral health system in the following ways (Sec. 1-3): 

• Coordinating and integrating the delivery of behavioral health services;

• Setting standards for the behavioral health system to improve the quality and equity of care;

• Ensuring that behavioral health services respond to the changing needs of communities, monitor state and local outcomes, support tribal needs, and evaluate state efforts;

• Improving equitable access to, quality of, and affordability of behavioral health services;

• Preserving and building upon the integration of behavioral and physical health care that treats the whole person;

• Leading and promoting colorado's priority of addressing the increasing need for behavioral health services;

• Eliminating unnecessary fragmentation of services and streamlining access;

• Addressing social determinants of health as a core component of behavioral health outcomes;

• Promoting transparency and accountability of behavioral health reform outcomes and spending of taxpayer dollars; and

• Reducing the administrative burden on behavioral health care providers so they can focus on client care.

• Requires the State Department of Human Services to develop a plan for the creation of the Behavioral Health Administration. The plan must include strategies to streamline and improve efforts that address behavioral health needs in the state and reduce behavioral health disparities (Sec. 1-27-60-203).

• Establishes the following duties for the BHA once the organization is fully operational (Sec. 1-27-60-203-3):

• Serving as the single state agency responsible for state behavioral health programs that were identified as appropriate to transition into the BHA;

• Receiving, coordinating, and distributing appropriate community behavioral health funding throughout the state;

• Monitoring, evaluating, and reporting behavioral health outcomes across the state and within various jurisdictions, while maintaining tribal sovereignty; and

• Promoting a behavioral health system that supports a whole-person approach to ensure Coloradans have the best chance to achieve and maintain wellness.

• Specifies that a “whole-person approach” includes the following (Sec. 1-27-60-203-3.d):

• Promoting an integrated approach to mental health and substance use treatment;

• Strengthening the integration of behavioral and physical care;

• Enhancing programmatic and funding opportunities in support of the overall well-being of the individual or family;

• Promoting culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and equitable behavioral health care; and

• Promoting coordination of supportive services outside of the behavioral health system to address social determinants of health, and to connect people to services such as housing, transportation, and employment.

Full Bill Text