New Colorado coalition targets health care reform
Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News
Published October 2, 2007 at midnight
Representatives of otherwise divergent interest groups announced a new partnership this morning whose goal is to raise awareness and harness momentum for bipartisan health care reform in Colorado.
The group granted that it had not arrived at any agreement on a concrete proposal for reform, or how to pay for it. But there was agreement all around that something must be done.
"The status quo is unacceptable and those of us standing in front of you today refuse to declare health care reform dead on arrival," said Kathleen Chitty, an intensive care unit nurse from Westminster who said she regularly treats uninsured and underinsured patients.
Chitty stood shoulder-to-shoulder with representatives from Kaiser Permanente, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Service Employees International Union, the Colorado State Association of Health Underwriters, AARP, the Colorado Medical Society, the Autism Society of Colorado and others.
Calling itself "Partnership for a Healthy Colorado," the group emphasized that reform is needed because the cost of caring for the uninsured and underinsured is passed on to the majority in Colorado who are insured.
The cost of doing nothing to reform health care in the state amounts to $934 per insured family per year, the group said, citing a June 2005 report by Families USA.
The state's blue ribbon commission for health care reform is wrapping up its study of how to drive down health care costs while covering more of the uninsured. The group's report is due to the legislature in late January.
The commission will hold forums around the state between Oct. 4 and Oct. 13 to gather public input.
The task of reforming health care promises to involve heavy lifting politically, and some are already questioning whether significant, bipartisan reform is possible.
Amy Fletcher, associate director of the Business Health Forum, acknowledged that the new group does not "have agreement" on any reform proposals or how to pay for them.
The group's mission is to bring the diversity of interests to the same table, instill confidence in lawmakers, educate Coloradans and work toward solutions.
"Right now we want to increase awareness," Fletcher said.
For more information on the blue ribbon commission's upcoming public
forums, go to www.colorado.gov/208commission.
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
