May 2007
Opportunity for Public Comment
May 2007
Created by the Colorado Legislature in 2006, the Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform is charged with making recommendations for comprehensive health care reform in our state. Our goal is to increase access to health care coverage and decrease costs for Colorado residents, with particular emphasis on the issues of the uninsured, underinsured and those at risk of financial hardship due to the costs of medical care. The Commission is required to make final recommendations to the General Assembly by November 30, 2007.
Public Comment
The Commission is now at the stage of reviewing 28 health care reform proposals that have been submitted to us. On May 7, 2007, the Commission will meet to narrow down the proposals for further consideration. At our meeting on May 17-18 we will select 3-5 that will be submitted to an independent firm for further evaluation. (View proposals at www.colorado.gov/208commission.)
As we identify those proposals to receive detailed evaluation, public input is important. What principles and features are important to you? Please attend one of these upcoming public meetings to share your views with us.
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Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform May 10 Metro Denver 4-7 p.m. Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling St., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 Glenwood Springs 4-7 p.m. May 12 Pueblo 9 a.m. - noon Convention Center, 320 Central Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003 Durango 9 a.m. - noon Mercy Medical Center, 1010 Three Springs Blvd., Durango, CO 81301 Fort Collins 1-4 p.m. Harmony Public Library, 4616 S. Shields St., Ft. Collins, CO 80526 All locations are ADA accessible. Please submit requests for reasonable accommodations to Anita Wesley at least seven (7) days in advance of the hearing you plan to attend. Good faith efforts will be made to fulfill all requests submitted with fewer than 7 days notice. |
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Questions to Address in Your Testimony (1) What are the one or two most important features that you feel must be included in any Colorado health care reform? (2) What is the most important principle that should be considered in any reform effort? ***Please provide written testimony at the time of your oral presentation*** Please note: The Commission most appreciates those comments that help to inform us broadly about what is important to you. We ask that you frame your comments in response to the questions identified above. If you would like to comment on specific proposals, please do so in your written testimony. |
How Will the Commission Use Your Testimony?
- An oral summary of the testimony received will be presented to the full Commission at its meeting on May 17-18, 2007.
- Any written testimony received by May 12, 2007, will be distributed to all Commissioners for review in advance of the May 17-18 meeting.
The Commission's Guiding Principles The Commission's mandate is to identify proposals that will increase coverage and reduce costs. The following principles guide its work:
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Upcoming Opportunities for Public Input and Topics for Discussion
Timeframe | Topic |
Summer 2007 | To be determined. |
October 2007 | Recommendations to the Colorado Legislature |
Additional opportunities to comment on or participate in the work of the Commission throughout the year will be posted on the Commission's Web site, www.colorado.gov/208commission. All Commission meetings are open to the public. All reform proposals are available on the website, and a side-by-side comparison will be available on May 3, 2007. For additional information, 208commission@coloradofoundation.org, 888-776-2332 (phone), 303-837-8496 (fax).
