Public Policy

A Letter from the CBHC Executive Director:

Colorado’s Community Mental Health System is actively working to meet the diverse needs of people who need mental health and substance use treatment in the community, while continuing to build a vision for the future of healthcare delivery.  Today’s challenging economic environment means healthcare providers need to be innovative, collaborative and frugal to ensure that the necessary treatment and supports are available to those who need mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

In tough budgetary times it is crucial that the new administration, legislators, employers, and the public understand the importance of not reducing coverage for people who need behavioral health services. Reduced funding for necessary treatment and prevention restricts access to care, forces people into more expensive systems, and significantly increases overall health care costs.

2003 and 2004 saw major cuts to mental health and substance use disorder treatment funding. The end result was that prisons, jails, homeless shelters, and emergency rooms suffered a huge influx in the number of people with untreated mental health and substance abuse disorders taking up their available beds. Treating people in these more expensive settings comes with a huge financial and personal cost. Additionally, recent studies show that costs almost double to treat a physical health condition if the person also has an untreated mental health or substance use disorder. These facts cannot be ignored.

Behavioral health is essential health care and providers can save the State precious resources, as well as improve both outcomes and satisfaction for those we serve.  CBHC is here to help educate you about the behavioral health system in Colorado and our ongoing role in the evolution of healthcare in this state.

Thank you for your time and please contact us if you have any questions,

George DelGrosso, Executive Director

Click on the links below to access CBHC Public Policy Resources!

2011 CBHC Bill Tracking Slate and Legislative Platform

Take Action!  Visit our Legislative Action Center to see current Action Alerts, find your public officials and advocate for mental health!

NEW! – 2011 CBHC Day at the Capitol Legislator Handouts – zipped folder (when prompted, select “Save File”, then open the file that downloads) 

2011 CBHC Fact Sheets and Advocacy Resources
CBHC eNewsletters

Questions? Comments? Contact CBHC:

Terri Hurst – Director of Public Policy
thurst@cbhc.org <

Brian Turner – Public Policy Specialist
bturner@cbhc.org