Colorado Revised Statutes Title 25.5. Health Care Policy and Financing § 25.5-5-512. Pharmacy benefit--mental health and substance use disorders--legislative declaration

(I) It is estimated that over one million Coloradans experience a mental health or substance use disorder each year, yet less than half of the adult population in this state receives the care it needs;

(II) It is well documented that access to appropriate treatments, including medication, can lead to better outcomes for individuals dealing with these diagnoses;

(III) For this reason, policies that restrict access to medications lead to poorer outcomes and increased health-care costs;

(IV) Pharmacists also play an important role in improving access to treatments for serious mental illness and substance use disorders; and

(V) The use of extended-release injectable medications for serious mental illness and substance use disorders has research-proven clinical benefits compared to oral medications, including medication adherence and significant delay and reduction in relapse, which decreases criminal recidivism and emergency room visits for patients from vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness.