HB09-1111: Health Resources for Underserved Areas

HB09-1111 would help improve healthcare workforce recruitment and retention efforts in rural and underserved areas of Colorado. The bill would create the Primary Care Office (PCO), which is in charge of designating areas of the state as Health Professional Shortage Areas. The PCO also manages programs that place healthcare providers in rural and underserved parts of our state. HB09-1111 also improves access to the state health professions loan repayment program and establishes a healthcare community board who will be charged with assessing and making recommendations on how the state can improve upon the five healthcare loan repayment programs currently being offered in Colorado.

For more detailed information on HB09-1111, please visit the Policy & Advocacy section of the CRHC website: www.coruralhealth.org/crhc/programs/policy/leg_updates.html

This bill has been introduced in the House Health & Human Services Committee. A hearing is scheduled for THURSDAY, FEB. 2nd in LSB-A.

CRHC supports this legislation and we encourage you to contact your Representative to urge their support:

Members of the House Health & Humans Services Committee and their contact information are listed below:

Chair: Jim Riesberg: 303-866-2929; jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us

Vice-Chair: Sara Gagliardi: 303-888-2962; sara.gagliardi.house@state.co.us

Cindy Acree: 303- 866- 2944; cindy.acree.house@state.co.us

Gwen Green: 303-866-2951; gwengreen@yahoo.com

John Kefalas: 303-866-4569; john.kefalas.house@state.co.us

Jim Kerr: 303-866-2939; james.kerr.house@state.co.us

Kevin Lundberg:303-866-2907: replundberg@gmail.com

Anne McGihon: 303-866-2921; anne.mcgihon.house@state.co.us

Dianne Primavera:303-866-4667; dianne.primavera.house@state.co.us

Ellen Roberts: 303-866-2914; ellen.roberts.house@state.co.us

Spencer Swalm: 303-866-5510; spencer.swalm.house@state.co.us

SB09-002: Increase in Motor Vehicle Fee for Emergency Medical Services

SB09-002 would increase the motor vehicle registration fee that funds Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from $1 to $2. Since 1989, EMS has received $1 from each motor vehicle registration fee though there has not been any funding increase since then. These funds are used to support the administration of EMS, to fund the 11 Regional Emergency & Trauma Advisory Councils (RETACs), and fund grant programs. The proposed fee increase will generate an additional $5 million for EMS. From FY2005 through the current year, 70% of the grant funding from EMS was disbursed to rural counties. With the majority of the EMS grant funding supporting EMS in rural Colorado, it is important to help strengthen these vital services.

This bill has been introduced and assigned to the Transportation Committee.
A HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, JAN. 29th.
CRHC supports this bill and we encourage you to contact your Senator to support this legislation.
Members of the Senate Transportation Committee and contact information is as follows:
Chair: Dan Gibbs - 303-866-4873; dan.gibbs.senate@state.co.us
Vice Chair: Suzanne Williams - 303-866-3432; suzanne.williams.senate@state.co.us
Mike Kopp - 303-866-4859; mike.kopp.senate@state.co.us
Scott Renfroe - 303-866-4451; scott.renfroe.senate@state.co.us
Chris Romer - 303-866-4852; chris.romer.senate@state.co.us
Nancy Spence - 303-866-2935; nancyspence@qwest.net
Jennifer Veiga - 303-866-4861; jennifer.veiga.senate@state.co.us

Governor Ritter's State of State Tour

Governor Ritter's State of State Tour
From Friday, January 9th until Tuesday, January 13th, the Governor and appointed Senate leader Michael Bennet will be traveling throughout Colorado (Loveland, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Steamboat Springs, Grand Junction, Pueblo, Alamosa) discussing the economy and other issues facing Coloradans. See the schedule below.

Friday, Jan. 9, 2009: Denver, Loveland and Fort Collins
11:15 a.m. to Noon: Gov. Ritter will attend the annual Boots 'N Business luncheon at the National Western Stock Show. He will enter the arena on horseback as part of the Color Guard procession, and then provide remarks prior to the start of the luncheon. Location: National Western Stock Show, 4555 Humboldt, Denver.

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Gov. Ritter and Michael Bennet will host a community gathering at the Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland.

4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Gov. Ritter and Michael Bennet will host a community gathering at the Aztlan Community Center, Eagle Room, 112 Willow St., Fort Collins.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009: Glendale, Colorado Springs
9 to 9:45 a.m. Gov. Ritter will address the Metro Mayors Caucus, Infinity Park Events Center at 4400 E. Kentucky Ave., Glendale.

Noon to 1 p.m. Gov. Ritter and Michael Bennet will host a community gathering at Colorado Springs Library/Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs.

2 to 3 p.m. Gov. Ritter and Michael Bennet will meet with the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and others to discuss the economy and state and federal recovery efforts. Location: Colorado Springs Conservatory and Galileo Math & Science School, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs.

Monday, Jan. 12, 2009: Steamboat Springs and Grand Junction
8 to 9:30 a.m. Gov. Ritter and Michael Bennet will host a community gathering and pancake breakfast at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort, 2200 Village Inn Court, Steamboat Springs.

3:45 to 5:15 p.m. Gov. Ritter and Michael Bennet will meet with community members and students at Mesa State College, Science Center, Room SL 100, 1100 North Ave., Grand Junction.
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009: Pueblo and Alamosa
8 to 9:30 a.m. Gov. Ritter and Michael Bennet will host a community gathering and pancake breakfast at the Pueblo Union Depot, 132 West B St., Pueblo.

9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Gov. Ritter and Michael Bennet will dedicate the Colorado State University-Pueblo's new solar park with Black Hills Energy and BP Solar. From I-25 South, take Exit 101.Turn left onto Colorado 47 East. Take Bonforte Boulevard exit, then turn left (North) onto Bonforte Boulevard. Turn right on Bartley Boulevard, stay on Bartley Boulevard as it bends around to the North.

2 to 3:30 p.m. Gov. Ritter and Michael Bennet will host a community gathering, discussing the economy and local, state and federal recovery efforts. Location: Alamosa Family Recreation Center, 2222 Old Sanford Road, Alamosa.