Health Policy Campaigns

Fiscal ReformFiscal reform is critical to long term healthcare reform. Colorado is strangled by constitutional and statutory restrictions that prevent government from serving the people. To learn more about Colorado’s fiscal history and to understand how the current situation evolved click here to visit The Bell Policy Center’s The Road to 2009. In order to further fiscal reform Colorado Voices for Coverage is taking the following actions: Strongly Supporting Senate Bill 228 SB09- 228 eliminates the 6% formula, also known as Arveschoug-Bird, on government allocations and allows legislators to make smart decisions about Colorado’s future. By eliminating the 6% formula Colorado can maximize the Federal economic recovery dollars and bounce back more quickly from this recession. With the 6% formula in place state funds will be held at recession levels and will make it difficult for Colorado to rebound from this recession. It’s an issue of fairness. Instead of health care funding constantly getting squeezed by outdated formulas and mandates, Colorado needs to put all of its priorities on a level playing field, including health care. That’s what repealing the 6 percent formula will do, and in doing so bring more accountability to the legislature and allow Colorado to address changing economic realities, such as skyrocketing health care costs. For more information on SB 228 visit:Senate Bill 228 Fact Sheet (http://www.cclponline.org/pubfiles/ABFactSheet_External.pdf)Senate Bill 228 Frequently Asked Questions (http://coloradovoices.org/sites/default/files/AB%20FAQs.pdf)Click here to send a letter to the governor and your legislators urging their support of SB 228.Educating Healthcare Consumers and AdvocatesCVC is conducting community gatherings across the state to educate communities on the importance of fiscal reform and its impact on health care. Contact kelli@coloradovoices.org for more information. Protecting Public Programs Colorado is facing billion dollar budget shortfalls and fiscal restrictions that impact the ability of government to provide health care to those most vulnerable. Colorado Voices for Coverage is active in efforts to protect public programs from government funding cuts and to expand coverage to those in need. Colorado Voices for Coverage is working to protect public programs through the following actions: Strongly Support House Bill 1293: Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act The Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act allows Colorado to leverage state funds to draw down additional Federal funds to provide coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured Coloradans. The proposal also helps stem the rising cost of health insurance for businesses and families by addressing cost-shifting without increasing the burden on taxpayers. For more information visit:Governor Ritter’s Announcement of HB 1293 (http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1235651664043&pagename=G...)Denver Post Article on HB 1293 (http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_11796387) Address Budget Cuts Affecting Health CareColorado Voices for Coverage is carefully monitoring budget cuts and budget strategies for the current and upcoming fiscal year. CVC is working with other advocates to help identify revenue options that will protect healthcare programs in the state budget. CVC is collecting stories on the faces of budget cuts. If the economic downturn has affected your ability to access healthcare please contact kelli@coloradovoices.org. to share your story. National Healthcare Reform The groundswell for national healthcare reform is quickly building across Colorado and the nation. Colorado Voices for Coverage is actively working to build consumer support in Colorado to ensure that our Federal leaders are pushing for national reform. CVC supports the Health and Human Services Budget proposed by President Obama, which allocates $634 billion towards healthcare improvements and reform. Letter Writing CampaignsCVC is encouraging consumers to write to their Congressional representatives and urge them to pass healthcare reform legislation. Visit www.votesmart.org to locate your representatives. You can also visit Stand Up for Health Care to send a letter. http://www.standupforhealthcare.org/page/speakout/reform Community EventsCVC is hosting community events across the state to engage and educate citizens on the need for healthcare reform. Please look out for a schedule of upcoming events. Contact kelli@coloradovoices.org to schedule an event in your community. Congressional VisitsCVC is actively meeting with Colorado’s Congressional delegates to stress the importance of healthcare reform. For more information on national healthcare reform visit: Families USA (www.familiesusa.org)Community Catalyst (www.communitycatalyst.org)