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House committee adopts amendment and advances bill to support rural community health centers
Summary
The House Health and Human Services Committee adopted an amendment and gave a favorable recommendation to House Bill 12-88, a bill sponsors said would help rural community health center networks expand whole-person care in underserved parts of Colorado.
The House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday adopted amendment L003 and advanced House Bill 12-88 with a favorable recommendation to the Committee of the Whole.
Sponsors and supporters told the committee the bill is intended to strengthen rural community health center networks that provide primary care, behavioral health, dental and other services in areas with limited access to care. Rep. Rochelle Martinez, a sponsor, highlighted the centers’ role in preventing higher-cost emergency-room visits and described the bill as support for rural Colorado.
Martinez, a bill sponsor, told the committee: "being able to provide whole health care ... that prevents them from going into the emergency room for other events, which overall lowers the cost here in the state of Colorado." She closed by urging "an aye vote." Assistant Minority Leader Winter and other committee members spoke in support, citing the importance of preventative care in rural districts. Rep. Brooks requested to be excused from the vote because she had not heard the entire hearing the previous day; the committee accommodated that request.
The committee voted to adopt the L003 amendment during the amendment phase; Rep. McCormick seconded the motion to adopt. Later, sponsors moved to advance the bill to the Committee of the Whole. The roll call recorded the motion carried 12 to 0 with one member excused.
Why it matters: sponsors and witnesses said federally qualified health centers and community health networks provide a range of services that reduce emergency use and overall health spending. Supporters told the committee the bill would provide targeted assistance to keep clinics operating in sparsely populated parts of the state.
Votes at a glance: The committee adopted the L003 amendment (adopted, no recorded opposition) and recommended House Bill 12-88 to the Committee of the Whole (12 yes, 0 no, 1 excused).
Context/next steps: With the committee’s favorable recommendation the bill moves to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration by the full House.
