Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration has outlined a transformative plan for reforming the state’s behavioral healthcare infrastructure. In this “What They’re Watching” interview, we hear from Summer Gathercole, the deputy commissioner of operations at the BHA, about some of the administration’s overarching goals and the conversations that went into the design of the BHA’s work. Gathercole … Read more
In front of a packed room of healthcare professionals, Colorado legislators who led health reform efforts over the past several years followed up their virtual conversation in 2021 with an in-person panel at the 2022 Colorado State of Reform Health Policy Conference in Denver last week. The panel consisted of Colorado Sen. Jim … Read more
This month’s edition includes an update on HCPF’s nation-leading initiative to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, the release of the Topical Agenda for our Colorado event in November (which you can register for here!), the BHA’s plan to strengthen the state’s behavioral health workforce, and more. Thanks for reading! Eli Kirshbaum State of Reform … Read more
A strong and supported behavioral health workforce results in quality access to care DENVER – Today, the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) released Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce in Colorado: An Approach to Community Partnership, a strategic plan to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in Colorado to ensure we have a behavioral health system that offers accessible, … Read more
Last year, Colorado declared a youth mental health state of emergency after record numbers of kids and youth in mental health crises were reported across the pediatric health system. According to the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 40% of public middle and high school respondents had experienced feelings of depression in 2021. The Children’s Hospital Colorado … Read more
Steven Haden is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Colorado-based Envision:You. As a mental health and social justice advocate, Steven focuses on the disproportionate burden behavioral health concerns have on marginalized communities, especially those that identify as LGBTQ+. At Envision:You, Steven leads a team committed to addressing the mental health and well-being of individuals … Read more
The pediatric health system in Colorado remains in a state of emergency, according to the Children’s Hospital Colorado. The care provider, which declared a youth mental health state of emergency 1 year ago, said in its follow-up last month that conditions have worsened. Record numbers of kids and youth in mental health crises … Read more
Governor Jared Polis approved the legislature’s historic $36.4 billion state budget on April 25th. The budget appropriates $17.6 billion in total funds to health care related spending for the coming fiscal year. Health care has been a key focus for lawmakers as officials address the lingering effects of the pandemic by bolstering the state’s public … Read more
Appointed in January of 2022, Dr. Morgan Medlock is an emergency psychiatrist and addiction specialist with a passion for people and health equity. She previously served as the Chief Medical Officer and Director of Crisis and Emergency Services for the Washington, D.C., Department of Behavioral Health. She also serves on the faculty of the Massachusetts … Read more
I’d like to introduce you all to Boram Kim, State of Reform’s new reporter for Colorado! Boram has been doing some great coverage of the Colorado market over the past few weeks and we’re thrilled to have him with us. Don’t hesitate to reach out to him with story ideas, feedback, or if you’d just like … Read more