Tuesday, August 25, 2009
By ANTHONY A. MESTAS
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
August 25, 2009 12:03 am
WALSENBURG - U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet met with doctors, nurses and administrators at three Southern Colorado health care facilities Monday to discuss rural health care and to hear concerns and problems facing small facilities.
In Walsenburg and other rural areas across the nation some people who can afford doctors often can't find them and others are too poor to afford care. It's a problem that took up most of the hourlong discussion at Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center.
Bennet heard from about 20 medical personnel, physicians and nurses that the problem was at times overwhelming.
He started his trip Monday morning making stops at the Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center and the Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home, which are located on the hospital campus three miles west of Walsenburg.
He then traveled to Westcliffe to meet with doctors at the Custer County Medical Center.
The sweep through Southern Colorado was part of the senator's tour over Congress' August break.
“In Colorado’s rural areas, doctors and nurses do everything they can to make sure their patients get the best care possible. As we talk about health care reform, we need to make sure they have a voice in the debate and that any reform makes sense for rural Colorado," Bennet said in a statement released Monday afternoon.
Dr. David Zehring, chairman of the hospital district board in Walsenburg, said that financial viability is a large problem in Huerfano County.
"Huerfano County is one of the poorest counties in the state per capita by income. We have a large number of people with no insurance and a large number of people covered by Medicare, which ordinarily does not cover the cost of rendering patient's care," Zehring explained.
"Nevertheless, unlike primary care practices in more affluent communities like Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Denver and even Pueblo, our physicians can't turn anyone away based on their ability to pay. We are a special district hospital therefore we are mandated and we are happy to take care of everyone who comes to us with medical problems."
Zehring, who is not currently a practicing physician, said that the rule results frequently in the hospital's inability to get paid for treatment, "the main struggle that rural health care deals with on a daily basis."
He said that he and others would support an adjustment of the reimbursement schedule for Medicare and Medicaid.
"That adjustment would increase reimbursement for primary care and balance that with a reduction in payment for some of the medical and surgical specialties that frequently receive sometimes 10 times as much on a per-hour basis for their services than primary care does."
Zehring, who spent his career in Seattle, said rural medicine also confronts a difficulty in recruiting primary care physicians, many of whom "don't see themselves living in a small town" and even if they do, cannot make a living.
Dr. Michael Moll, a Walsenburg hospital physician, said that he thought the meeting showed the problems on Colorado's rural medical front.
He said that primary care has been undermined by health insurance companies denying payment for services to physicians and hospitals.
"Private practice primary care can no longer survive with the payer-mix population that exists in rural Colorado, Moll said.
Moll, who has been a Walsenburg physician for the past 12 years, said the few instances he sees that this works is when doctors can go to a big city and "cherry pick" their insurance companies.
Bennet addressed the need to improve access to care in rural areas, the shortage of primary care physicians and other health care providers and the need to improve the use of clinical preventive services.
He also talked about the Bennet-Roberts amendment to the budget resolution, which ensures that health reform increases funding to fix access problems in rural communities, including access to primary care and outpatient services, hospitals and an adequate supply of providers in the work force.
Additionally, Bennet co-sponsored the Murkowski-Murray amendment to the budget resolution, increasing funding by $100 million for the National Health Service Corps program, which supplies primary care and mental health providers to rural and medically underserved communities through scholarship and loan repayment assistance. Bennet also co-sponsored the Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act, which would provide much needed improvements to Medicare reimbursements for rural providers.
Zehring said that he and others who attended the meeting Monday were happy with Bennet's efforts.
"He was very open and he asked excellent questions and I felt like he was genuinely interested in what we had to say," Zehring said.
anthonym@chieftain.com
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Why Rural America Needs Health Care Reform
Why Rural America Needs Health Reform
Rural Problem: Rural Americans are uninsured and underinsured at higher rates than their urban counterparts.
• In the smallest and most remote rural areas, the uninsured rate is 23% compared to an urban rate of 19%.
• A greater proportion of self-employed workers living in rural, areas are uninsured (40%), compared to self-employed workers in urban (32%) areas.
Health Reform Solution: Health reform legislation will improve accessibility and affordability of health coverage for all rural Americans.
• Provisions for the guaranteed issue and renewability of coverage and the prohibition of pre-existing condition exclusions will ensure that insurance coverage is available to all Americans, even if they are already sick.
• Provisions to control insurance companies’ rating practices, prohibit annual or lifetime limits on benefits and place a cap on consumer cost sharing will keep health costs under control for rural Americans.
Rural Problem: Rural Americans are sicker, with higher rates of chronic disease.
• Conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, stroke and arthritis are more prevalent among rural populations than urban. Some of these conditions are also risk factors for other diseases.
Health Reform Solution: Health reform legislation improves primary care and preventive measures.
• Provisions to prohibit cost-sharing for preventive services will encourage individuals to seek care early for better treatment of their conditions.
Rural Problem: Rural America is already experiencing a health care workforce crisis.
• Less than 10% of physicians serve 25% of the country’s population.
• When more individuals have health insurance and are able to afford health care, the strain on the existing providers will be even greater.
Health Reform Solution: Health reform legislation will develop a robust rural health care workforce.
• A strong investment in the National Health Service Corps provides additional funding for scholarships and loan repayments for medical students who choose to practice in underserved areas.
• Changes to Medicare Graduate Medical Education funding can influence residents’ future career choices. Exposure to rural areas during residency is significant predictor for future rural practice.
• Increased support for Title VII and VIII workforce programs is an investment in the long term health of the rural provider pipeline.
Rural Problem: Rural hospitals and providers struggle financially because of inequitable Medicare reimbursement rates, low patient volumes and other reasons.
• The average payment per discharge for rural hospitals in FY 2009 was $7,432; for urban hospitals the average payment per discharge for the same time period was $10,274.
• Some categories of rural hospitals receive special Medicare reimbursement to protect them from financial losses as a result of serving Medicare patients and help them remain in business, serving the community.
Health Reform Solution: Health reform legislation is an opportunity to improve rural Medicare reimbursement rates and strengthen rural safety net providers.
• A number of changes are necessary to ensure that provisions that help rural providers continue to do so and that new provisions are created to better the system.
• For more information on specific rural Medicare provisions needed in health reform, please visit http://www.ruralhealthweb.org/go/left/policy-and-advocacy/health-reform or contact the NRHA Government Affairs Office at 202-639-0550.
Rural America needs health reform. These solutions or variations for rural America are included in a health reform bill currently in Congress. Congress must ensure that health reform works for rural America. For more information about why health reform is important for rural, please contact the NRHA Government Affairs Staff at 202-639-0550.
Rural Problem: Rural Americans are uninsured and underinsured at higher rates than their urban counterparts.
• In the smallest and most remote rural areas, the uninsured rate is 23% compared to an urban rate of 19%.
• A greater proportion of self-employed workers living in rural, areas are uninsured (40%), compared to self-employed workers in urban (32%) areas.
Health Reform Solution: Health reform legislation will improve accessibility and affordability of health coverage for all rural Americans.
• Provisions for the guaranteed issue and renewability of coverage and the prohibition of pre-existing condition exclusions will ensure that insurance coverage is available to all Americans, even if they are already sick.
• Provisions to control insurance companies’ rating practices, prohibit annual or lifetime limits on benefits and place a cap on consumer cost sharing will keep health costs under control for rural Americans.
Rural Problem: Rural Americans are sicker, with higher rates of chronic disease.
• Conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, stroke and arthritis are more prevalent among rural populations than urban. Some of these conditions are also risk factors for other diseases.
Health Reform Solution: Health reform legislation improves primary care and preventive measures.
• Provisions to prohibit cost-sharing for preventive services will encourage individuals to seek care early for better treatment of their conditions.
Rural Problem: Rural America is already experiencing a health care workforce crisis.
• Less than 10% of physicians serve 25% of the country’s population.
• When more individuals have health insurance and are able to afford health care, the strain on the existing providers will be even greater.
Health Reform Solution: Health reform legislation will develop a robust rural health care workforce.
• A strong investment in the National Health Service Corps provides additional funding for scholarships and loan repayments for medical students who choose to practice in underserved areas.
• Changes to Medicare Graduate Medical Education funding can influence residents’ future career choices. Exposure to rural areas during residency is significant predictor for future rural practice.
• Increased support for Title VII and VIII workforce programs is an investment in the long term health of the rural provider pipeline.
Rural Problem: Rural hospitals and providers struggle financially because of inequitable Medicare reimbursement rates, low patient volumes and other reasons.
• The average payment per discharge for rural hospitals in FY 2009 was $7,432; for urban hospitals the average payment per discharge for the same time period was $10,274.
• Some categories of rural hospitals receive special Medicare reimbursement to protect them from financial losses as a result of serving Medicare patients and help them remain in business, serving the community.
Health Reform Solution: Health reform legislation is an opportunity to improve rural Medicare reimbursement rates and strengthen rural safety net providers.
• A number of changes are necessary to ensure that provisions that help rural providers continue to do so and that new provisions are created to better the system.
• For more information on specific rural Medicare provisions needed in health reform, please visit http://www.ruralhealthweb.org/go/left/policy-and-advocacy/health-reform or contact the NRHA Government Affairs Office at 202-639-0550.
Rural America needs health reform. These solutions or variations for rural America are included in a health reform bill currently in Congress. Congress must ensure that health reform works for rural America. For more information about why health reform is important for rural, please contact the NRHA Government Affairs Staff at 202-639-0550.
State Budget Cuts and Impact on Rural Healthcare Services
Governor Ritter announced over $300 million in budget cuts this week. We applaud his efforts in trying to reduce the impact on rural healthcare and safety net services, but these cuts will impact our rural communities, nonetheless. These budget cuts will begin being implemented on September 1st.
There will be a 1.5% reduction in Medicaid Reimbursement Rates and $15 million cut from Amendment 35 funds. The breakdown is as follows:
$7 million from the Tobacco Education Program Fund
$7 million from the Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Fund
$1 million from the Health Disparities Grant Program Fund
The Breast and Cervical Screening Program and the Quitline were spared any cuts.
For a breakdown of the Governor's cuts, please click HERE.
More detailed information will be posted here in the upcoming days.
There will be a 1.5% reduction in Medicaid Reimbursement Rates and $15 million cut from Amendment 35 funds. The breakdown is as follows:
$7 million from the Tobacco Education Program Fund
$7 million from the Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Fund
$1 million from the Health Disparities Grant Program Fund
The Breast and Cervical Screening Program and the Quitline were spared any cuts.
For a breakdown of the Governor's cuts, please click HERE.
More detailed information will be posted here in the upcoming days.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Representative Markey to discuss Healthcare Reform Proposals
Representative Betsy Markey (4th District) will be traveling throughout the month of August discussing the many healthcare reform proposals being debated at the national level. Look for her visit in a town near you!
08/18 Congress on Your Corner Ft Collins 9am – 12pm
08/19 Congress on Your Corner Greeley 11am – 1pm
08/20 Congress on Your Corner Longmont 3pm – 5pm
08/21 Seniors Day Event Greeley 1pm – 3pm
08/22 Congress on Your Corner Ft Lupton 10:00am – 12:00pm
08/24 Tele-Town Hall Meeting District-wide 7:30pm – 8:30pm
08/26 Congress on Your Corner Ft Collins 10:30am – 12pm
08/28 Congress on Your Corner Ft Morgan 9am – 10:30am
09/01 Congress on Your Corner Johnstown 8:30am – 10am
09/02 Congress on Your Corner Windsor 1pm – 3pm
09/03 Congress on Your Corner Estes Park 3:30pm – 5pm
For more information, please contact Ben Marter:
Ben Marter | Communications Director
Congresswoman Betsy Markey (CO-04)
P 202.226.8416 | C 202.503.7888
ben.marter@mail.house.gov
08/18 Congress on Your Corner Ft Collins 9am – 12pm
08/19 Congress on Your Corner Greeley 11am – 1pm
08/20 Congress on Your Corner Longmont 3pm – 5pm
08/21 Seniors Day Event Greeley 1pm – 3pm
08/22 Congress on Your Corner Ft Lupton 10:00am – 12:00pm
08/24 Tele-Town Hall Meeting District-wide 7:30pm – 8:30pm
08/26 Congress on Your Corner Ft Collins 10:30am – 12pm
08/28 Congress on Your Corner Ft Morgan 9am – 10:30am
09/01 Congress on Your Corner Johnstown 8:30am – 10am
09/02 Congress on Your Corner Windsor 1pm – 3pm
09/03 Congress on Your Corner Estes Park 3:30pm – 5pm
For more information, please contact Ben Marter:
Ben Marter | Communications Director
Congresswoman Betsy Markey (CO-04)
P 202.226.8416 | C 202.503.7888
ben.marter@mail.house.gov
Monday, July 27, 2009
Accountable Care Collaborative Request for Information Released
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the Accountable Care Collaborative. The Accountable Care Collaborative is part of the state's Medicaid reform effort, and is envisioned to consist of a statewide data organization and a number of regional care coordination organizations. These regional organizations will be charged to offer care-coordination services and to support the local participating providers and clients in the regions. HCPF is relying on input from managed care organizations, clients, advocates and other stakeholders, and will move forward with a health care delivery system changing from a traditional fee-for-service model to a regional, outcomes-focused, whole person-centered, coordinated system of care for clients in fee-for-service Medicaid.
To view the RFI and provide input, please click HERE.
To view the RFI and provide input, please click HERE.
Friday, July 24, 2009
July 23, 2009 - Health Care Reform Stalls until September
Today the push to overhaul the nation's health care system faced another setback. The day after a President Obama had a news conference urging for a vote before the August recess, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that there would be no health care vote on the floor of the Senate until September, however a bill is still due out of the Senate Finance Committee before the break, though talks are still going on amongst committee members and no draft has yet been released.
On the House side, Chairman Waxman, who yesterday said the Energy and Commerce Committee would continue marking-up their bill with or without Blue Dog support, has still yet to schedule a mark-up for the remainder of the week. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, today, indicated that the House may well have a deal within the next few days but there has been no floor vote scheduled thus far and so it seems the House may be waiting until after August to take this up as well.
On the House side, Chairman Waxman, who yesterday said the Energy and Commerce Committee would continue marking-up their bill with or without Blue Dog support, has still yet to schedule a mark-up for the remainder of the week. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, today, indicated that the House may well have a deal within the next few days but there has been no floor vote scheduled thus far and so it seems the House may be waiting until after August to take this up as well.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
President Obama Nominates Rural Health Clinic CEO for Surgeon General Post
President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual today:
Regina M. Benjamin, Nominee for Surgeon General, Department of Health and Human Services.
Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, is Founder and CEO of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. She is the Immediate Past-Chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, and previously served as Associate Dean for Rural Health at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. In 2002, she became President of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, making her the first African American woman to be president of a State Medical Society in the United States. Dr. Benjamin holds a BS in Chemistry from Xavier University, New Orleans. She was in the 2nd class at Morehouse School of Medicine and received her MD degree from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, as well as an MBA from Tulane University. She completed her residency in family medicine at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Dr. Benjamin received the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights in 1998, and was elected to the American Medical Association Board of Trustees in 1995, making her the first physician under age 40 and the first African-American woman to be elected. Dr. Benjamin was previously named by Time Magazine as one of the "Nation's 50 Future Leaders Age 40 and Under." She was also featured in a New York Times article, "Angel in a White Coat", as "Person of the Week" on ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, and as "Woman of the Year" by CBS This Morning. She received the 2000 National Caring Award which was inspired by Mother Teresa, as well as the papal honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Pope Benedict XVI. She is also a recent recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award.
Regina M. Benjamin, Nominee for Surgeon General, Department of Health and Human Services.
Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, is Founder and CEO of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. She is the Immediate Past-Chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, and previously served as Associate Dean for Rural Health at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. In 2002, she became President of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, making her the first African American woman to be president of a State Medical Society in the United States. Dr. Benjamin holds a BS in Chemistry from Xavier University, New Orleans. She was in the 2nd class at Morehouse School of Medicine and received her MD degree from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, as well as an MBA from Tulane University. She completed her residency in family medicine at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Dr. Benjamin received the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights in 1998, and was elected to the American Medical Association Board of Trustees in 1995, making her the first physician under age 40 and the first African-American woman to be elected. Dr. Benjamin was previously named by Time Magazine as one of the "Nation's 50 Future Leaders Age 40 and Under." She was also featured in a New York Times article, "Angel in a White Coat", as "Person of the Week" on ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, and as "Woman of the Year" by CBS This Morning. She received the 2000 National Caring Award which was inspired by Mother Teresa, as well as the papal honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Pope Benedict XVI. She is also a recent recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Rural Health Clinic Legislation Introduced in the Senate
On June 25, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced S. 1355, the Rural Health Clinic Patient Access and Improvement Act of 2009. The bill addresses long-standing underpayments to rural health clinics, introduces a quality improvement program to RHCs, and provides incentives to recruit and retain medical professionals to rural areas.
The bill also raises the all-inclusive Medicare payment cap for RHCs to $92, a greater than 20 percent increase over the previous cap, which was set in the 1970s. Currently, rural health clinics are hamstrung by low reimbursement rates that pay them less than what it costs to deliver care. This legislation allows for better collaboration between community health centers and rural health clinics. It will also create a five-state demonstration project to determine whether medical professionals would be incentivized to practice in rural areas if RHCs subsidized a portion of their medical liability costs.
CRHC has contacted Colorado's Senators to urge their support and co-sponsorship of this legislation. Please click HERE for more information and to read the bill in its entirety.
The bill also raises the all-inclusive Medicare payment cap for RHCs to $92, a greater than 20 percent increase over the previous cap, which was set in the 1970s. Currently, rural health clinics are hamstrung by low reimbursement rates that pay them less than what it costs to deliver care. This legislation allows for better collaboration between community health centers and rural health clinics. It will also create a five-state demonstration project to determine whether medical professionals would be incentivized to practice in rural areas if RHCs subsidized a portion of their medical liability costs.
CRHC has contacted Colorado's Senators to urge their support and co-sponsorship of this legislation. Please click HERE for more information and to read the bill in its entirety.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Federal Health Care Reform
With the talk of federal health care reform changing daily, there are a few tools that can help you sort through the mess.....
CRHC is keeping track of the discussion at the federal level and will be following how reform efforts will impact rural health care providers and consumers.
The Kaiser Family Foundation has an interactive tool where you can compare and contrast the different proposals that have been introduced in both the House and the Senate: Kaiser Family Foundation
The New York Times also has a thorough website devoted to health care reform: Key Challenges in Health Care Debate
CRHC is keeping track of the discussion at the federal level and will be following how reform efforts will impact rural health care providers and consumers.
The Kaiser Family Foundation has an interactive tool where you can compare and contrast the different proposals that have been introduced in both the House and the Senate: Kaiser Family Foundation
The New York Times also has a thorough website devoted to health care reform: Key Challenges in Health Care Debate
Thursday, May 21, 2009
2009 CRHC Legislative Recap
Thank you Colorado Rural Health Center members for your help in making the 2009 Legislative Session a success. CRHC took positions on 9 pieces of legislation and were involved altogether with 11 bills. Please click here for a recap of some of the bills CRHC worked on this year.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Legislative Session is Over!
Hooray! We all can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the 2009 Legislative Session is over. Stay tuned as I will be posting an overview of the bills CRHC tracked this session and how your legislator voted on rural health issues.
Thanks to all of you for your help and support this session!
Thanks to all of you for your help and support this session!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Final stretch......
Well, we're down to the last days of the 2009 legislative session and there is still a lot that needs to be done!
The Good News:
The Good News:
- SB09-002 (increase funding for EMTS from $1 to $2) passed the General Assembly and is off to the Governor for his signature. THANK YOU to all of you who helped with getting this legislation passed!
- SB09-129 (duties concerning dental hygenists) became law! Dental hygenists can now diagnose cavitities and perform other oral health services that were previously restricted.
- HB09-1293 (medicaid hospital provider fee) was signed by the Governor! Now the fun really begins! An advisory board will be established and work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid to hash out what this provide fee will look like and truly mean for Colordans. Stay tuned for more information as this process unfolds.
- Medicaid provider cuts, which were originally set at 4.33%, have been reduced to 2%. Not sure you can call this good news, but the cuts are less severe then originally expected.
What still needs to be done:
- SB09-271 proposes taking $35 million from Amendment 35 funds, in particular $15 million from the Primary Care Fund. Approximately $2 million of those Primary Care Funds are allocated to safety net clinics that are not federally qualified health centers (also known as community health centers). CRHC and a host of our partner organizations have been working to stop the General Assembly from taking these Primary Care Funds. Focus is targeted specifically on Joint Budget Committee members right now, which include:
Senator Moe Keller, Senator Abel Tapia, Senator Al White, Rep. Jack Pommer, Rep. Mark Ferrandino, Rep. Don Marostica - HB09-1111 (health resources for underserved areas) is scheduled to be heard tomorrow (Tues. April 28th) in Senate Appropriations. Click HERE for more information on this bill.
- HB09-1119 (rural substance abuse grant program) is scheduled to be heard by the entire Senate tomorrow (4.28).
Please contact your Senator NOW to urge their support on these two very important pieces of legislation! For an up to date list of contact information, please click HERE.
Again, thanks for all of your help and support this legislative session! We're almost done!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Call Your Senator and urge them to oppose cutting healthcare dollars!
In order to balance the budget, the General Assembly is proposing to take $35 million from healthcare programs, which include Primary Care Funds, tobacco cessation, and wellness & prevention programs. They are also proposing 4.33% provider rate cuts. These proposed cuts to healthcare services have already been approved by the House and it is now up to the Senate to vote on these. Please contact your Senator and urge them to oppose these cuts!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Contact Your Representative Now! Support SB09-002!
SB09-002 which would increase funding for Emergency Medical & Trauma Services is up for its almost-final hurdle in the House Appropriations Committee next Friday, April 17th and we need your help, especially if your Representative sits on this Committee. It is also extremely important to begin reaching out to the House Committee of the Whole as once this passes the Appropriation Committee it will be off to the House of the Whole.
Please click HERE to get a current contact list of the General Assembly or visit http://www.votesmart.org/ to learn who your Representative is and find out contact information.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and help!
House Appropriations Committee
Jerry Sonnenberg: 303-866-3706; jerry.sonnenberg.house@state.co.us
John Kefalas: 303-866-4569; john@kefalas2008.com
Don Marostica: 303-866-2947; don@donmarostica.com
Jim Riesberg: 303-866-2929; jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us
Sal Pace: 303-866-2968; sal.pace.house@state.co.us
Jim Kerr: 303-866-2939; jim.kerr.house@state.co.us
Andy Kerr: 303-866-2923; andy@andykerr.org
Bob Gardner: 303-866-2191; bob.gardner.house@state.co.us
Jack Pommer: 303-866-2780; jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
Beth McCann: 303-866-2959; beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
Joel Judd: 303-866-2925; repjoeljudd@joeljudd.com
Mark Ferrandino: 303-866-2911; mferrandino@yahoo.com
Glenn Vaad: 303-866-2943; gvaad@gmail.com
Please click HERE to get a current contact list of the General Assembly or visit http://www.votesmart.org/ to learn who your Representative is and find out contact information.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and help!
House Appropriations Committee
Jerry Sonnenberg: 303-866-3706; jerry.sonnenberg.house@state.co.us
John Kefalas: 303-866-4569; john@kefalas2008.com
Don Marostica: 303-866-2947; don@donmarostica.com
Jim Riesberg: 303-866-2929; jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us
Sal Pace: 303-866-2968; sal.pace.house@state.co.us
Jim Kerr: 303-866-2939; jim.kerr.house@state.co.us
Andy Kerr: 303-866-2923; andy@andykerr.org
Bob Gardner: 303-866-2191; bob.gardner.house@state.co.us
Jack Pommer: 303-866-2780; jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
Beth McCann: 303-866-2959; beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
Joel Judd: 303-866-2925; repjoeljudd@joeljudd.com
Mark Ferrandino: 303-866-2911; mferrandino@yahoo.com
Glenn Vaad: 303-866-2943; gvaad@gmail.com
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Stay up to Speed on the Bills CRHC is Tracking!
The 2009 Colorado General Assembly is almost a month away from adjourning. Stay up to speed on what bills CRHC is tracking and how they may impact rural healthcare.
Please click HERE for the CRHC Bill Tracking Tool.
You can also visit the CRHC Policy & Advocacy page for more information.
Please click HERE for the CRHC Bill Tracking Tool.
You can also visit the CRHC Policy & Advocacy page for more information.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Contact House Appropriations Members - Urge Support for HB09-1111 and HB09-1119!
Two bills that CRHC supports are scheduled to be heard this Friday, April 3rd in House Appropriations and we need your help to move them through!
HB09-1111: Health Resources for Underserved Areas is an extrememly important bill that will greatly impact rural healthcare access and services by strengthening the Primary Care Office. For detailed information on this bill, please visit the CRHC Legislative Update page.
HB09-1119: Rural Substance Abuse Grant Program: would establish the rural alcohol and substance abuse grant program that would provide alcohol and substance abuse treatment and prevention services to youth who reside in rural areas of the state. Rural is defined in this bill to be a county with less than 30,000 people.
Please contact your Representative and urge their support for these bills!
House Appropriations Committee Members
Jack Pommer: 303-866-2780; jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
Mark Ferrandino: 303-866-2911; mferrandino@yahoo.com
Bob Gardner: 303-866-2191; bob.gardner.house@state.co.us
Joel Judd: 303-866-2925; joeljudd@aol.com
John Kefalas: 303-866-4569; john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
Andy Kerr: 303-866-2923; akerrhd26@earthlink.net
Jim Kerr: 303-866-2939; james.kerr.house@state.co.us
Don Marostica: 303-866-2947; don@donmarostica.com
Beth McCann: 303-866-2959; beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
Sal Pace: 303-866-2968; sal.pace.house@state.co.us
Jim Riesberg: 303-866-2929; jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us
Jerry Sonnenberg: 303-866-3706; jerry.sonnenberg.house@state.co.us
Glenn Vaad: 303-866-2943; glenn.vaad.house@state.co.us
HB09-1111: Health Resources for Underserved Areas is an extrememly important bill that will greatly impact rural healthcare access and services by strengthening the Primary Care Office. For detailed information on this bill, please visit the CRHC Legislative Update page.
HB09-1119: Rural Substance Abuse Grant Program: would establish the rural alcohol and substance abuse grant program that would provide alcohol and substance abuse treatment and prevention services to youth who reside in rural areas of the state. Rural is defined in this bill to be a county with less than 30,000 people.
Please contact your Representative and urge their support for these bills!
House Appropriations Committee Members
Jack Pommer: 303-866-2780; jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
Mark Ferrandino: 303-866-2911; mferrandino@yahoo.com
Bob Gardner: 303-866-2191; bob.gardner.house@state.co.us
Joel Judd: 303-866-2925; joeljudd@aol.com
John Kefalas: 303-866-4569; john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
Andy Kerr: 303-866-2923; akerrhd26@earthlink.net
Jim Kerr: 303-866-2939; james.kerr.house@state.co.us
Don Marostica: 303-866-2947; don@donmarostica.com
Beth McCann: 303-866-2959; beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
Sal Pace: 303-866-2968; sal.pace.house@state.co.us
Jim Riesberg: 303-866-2929; jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us
Jerry Sonnenberg: 303-866-3706; jerry.sonnenberg.house@state.co.us
Glenn Vaad: 303-866-2943; glenn.vaad.house@state.co.us
Friday, March 20, 2009
SB002 - Passed another hurdle.....almost there! Please Contact your Representatives!!
SB09-002 passed both the House Transportation & Energy Committee and the House Finance Committee this week! Thanks to all of you for your help and support! The bill now awaits the House Appropriations Committee, which will most likely hear the bill sometime next week. Once it passes Appropriations, it will only have two more steps to go (2nd Reading in the House Committee of the Whole and then 3rd & Final Reading in House Committee of the Whole). While this bill has had a long and tenuous journey, we need your help to push it through the final hurdles! Please contact the House Appropriations members to express your support of this extremely important piece of legislation!
Please read some of the other posts on this site to learn more about SB09-002.
House Appropriations Committee
Jerry Sonnenberg: 303-866-3706; jerry.sonnenberg.house@state.co.us
John Kefalas: 303-866-4569; john@kefalas2008.com
Don Marostica: 303-866-2947; don@donmarostica.com
Jim Riesberg: 303-866-2929; jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us
Sal Pace: 303-866-2968; sal.pace.house@state.co.us
Jim Kerr: 303-866-2939; jim.kerr.house@state.co.us
Andy Kerr: 303-866-2923; andy@andykerr.org
Bob Gardner: 303-866-2191; bob.gardner.house@state.co.us
Jack Pommer: 303-866-2780; jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
Beth McCann: 303-866-2959; beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
Joel Judd: 303-866-2925; repjoeljudd@joeljudd.com
Mark Ferrandino: 303-866-2911; mferrandino@yahoo.com
Glenn Vaad: 303-866-2943; gvaad@gmail.com
Please read some of the other posts on this site to learn more about SB09-002.
House Appropriations Committee
Jerry Sonnenberg: 303-866-3706; jerry.sonnenberg.house@state.co.us
John Kefalas: 303-866-4569; john@kefalas2008.com
Don Marostica: 303-866-2947; don@donmarostica.com
Jim Riesberg: 303-866-2929; jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us
Sal Pace: 303-866-2968; sal.pace.house@state.co.us
Jim Kerr: 303-866-2939; jim.kerr.house@state.co.us
Andy Kerr: 303-866-2923; andy@andykerr.org
Bob Gardner: 303-866-2191; bob.gardner.house@state.co.us
Jack Pommer: 303-866-2780; jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
Beth McCann: 303-866-2959; beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
Joel Judd: 303-866-2925; repjoeljudd@joeljudd.com
Mark Ferrandino: 303-866-2911; mferrandino@yahoo.com
Glenn Vaad: 303-866-2943; gvaad@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Contact your Representative Now to Support SB09-002!!!
SB09-002, which would increase the motor vehicle registration fee by $1 to support Emergency Medical Services in Colorado has passed the Senate and is now up for consideration in the House Fianance Committee. After passing in the House Transportation & Energy Committee by a 10-1 vote yesterday the bill is scheduled to be heard TODAY (March 18th) by the House Finance Committee. If your Representative is on the Finance Committee, please call them today to urge their support of this very importatnt piece of legislation!
For more information about SB09-002, please visit: http://www.coemsandtraumafunds.org/
Finance Committee Members:
Joel Judd (Chair): 303-866-2925; repjoeljudd@joeljudd.com
Jerry Frangas (Vice-Chair): 303-866-2954; jerry.frangas.house@state.co.us
Dennis Apuan: 303-866-3069; dennis@dennisapuan.com
Debbie Benefield: 303-866-2950; debbie.benefield.house@state.co.us
Cheri Gerou: 303-866-2582; cheri.gerou.house@state.co.us
John Kefalas: 303-866-4569; john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
Andy Kerr: 303-866-2923; andy@andykerr.org
Kent Lambert: 303-866-2937; repkentlambert@comcast.net
Ellen Roberts: 303-866-2914; ellen.roberts.house@state.co.us
Ken Summers: 303-866-2927; ken.summers.house@state.co.us
Spencer Swalm: 303-866-5510; spencer.swalm.house@state.co.us
For more information about SB09-002, please visit: http://www.coemsandtraumafunds.org/
Finance Committee Members:
Joel Judd (Chair): 303-866-2925; repjoeljudd@joeljudd.com
Jerry Frangas (Vice-Chair): 303-866-2954; jerry.frangas.house@state.co.us
Dennis Apuan: 303-866-3069; dennis@dennisapuan.com
Debbie Benefield: 303-866-2950; debbie.benefield.house@state.co.us
Cheri Gerou: 303-866-2582; cheri.gerou.house@state.co.us
John Kefalas: 303-866-4569; john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
Andy Kerr: 303-866-2923; andy@andykerr.org
Kent Lambert: 303-866-2937; repkentlambert@comcast.net
Ellen Roberts: 303-866-2914; ellen.roberts.house@state.co.us
Ken Summers: 303-866-2927; ken.summers.house@state.co.us
Spencer Swalm: 303-866-5510; spencer.swalm.house@state.co.us
Friday, March 13, 2009
HB-1293: Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act
HB-1293: Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act is a first step in helping to insure more than 100,000 Coloradans, while at the same time ensuring that hospital providers have adequate reimbursement rates. This bill will begin the process of establishing a hospital provider fee in Colorado that is estimated to bring in a net revenue for the state at $1.2 billion dollars. These funds will be redistributed to hospitals in effort to improve reimbursement rates for Medicaid, CHP+, and CICP patients. Please click HERE for a fact sheet.
The CRHC supports this legislation. If this bill passes, CRHC will be working with the Colorado Hospital Association and the Hospital Provider Fee Oversight and Advisory Board to ensure that rural hospitals benefit from this legislation.
The bill is scheduled to be heard Friday, March 13th in the House Health & Human Services Committee. We encourage you to contact your Representative and urge their support.
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
The CRHC supports this legislation. If this bill passes, CRHC will be working with the Colorado Hospital Association and the Hospital Provider Fee Oversight and Advisory Board to ensure that rural hospitals benefit from this legislation.
The bill is scheduled to be heard Friday, March 13th in the House Health & Human Services Committee. We encourage you to contact your Representative and urge their support.
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
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
SB09-002: Contact your Representative!
SB09-002, which would increase the motor vehicle registration fee by $1 to support Emergency Medical Services in Colorado has passed the Senate and is now up for consideration in the House Transportation & Energy Committee. A hearing date has not been set, but it is not too early to begin contacting your Representatives to encourage them to support this very importatnt piece of legislation!
Website: http://www.coemsandtraumafunds.org/
SB09-002 fact sheet
House Transportation & Energy Committee Members
Chair: Buffie McFadyen: mcfadyen2002@hotmail.com; 303-866-2905
Co-Chair: Gwen Green: gwyngreen@yahoo.com; 303-866-2951
Randy Baumgardner: randy.baumgardner.house@state.co.us;
303-866-2949
Randy Fischer: randyfischer@frii.com; 303-866-2917
Jerry Frangas: kjerry.frangas.house@state.co.us; 303-866-2954
Steve King: steve.king.house@state.co.us; 303-866-3068
Marsha Looper: marshalooper@gmail.com; 303-866-2946
Frank McNulty: 303-866-2936
Michael Merrifield: michael.merrifield.house@state.co.us;
303-866-2932
Dianne Primavera: dianne.primavera.house@state.co.us;
303-866-4667
Glenn Vaad: glenn.vaad.house@state.co.us; 303-866-2943
Website: http://www.coemsandtraumafunds.org/
SB09-002 fact sheet
House Transportation & Energy Committee Members
Chair: Buffie McFadyen: mcfadyen2002@hotmail.com; 303-866-2905
Co-Chair: Gwen Green: gwyngreen@yahoo.com; 303-866-2951
Randy Baumgardner: randy.baumgardner.house@state.co.us;
303-866-2949
Randy Fischer: randyfischer@frii.com; 303-866-2917
Jerry Frangas: kjerry.frangas.house@state.co.us; 303-866-2954
Steve King: steve.king.house@state.co.us; 303-866-3068
Marsha Looper: marshalooper@gmail.com; 303-866-2946
Frank McNulty: 303-866-2936
Michael Merrifield: michael.merrifield.house@state.co.us;
303-866-2932
Dianne Primavera: dianne.primavera.house@state.co.us;
303-866-4667
Glenn Vaad: glenn.vaad.house@state.co.us; 303-866-2943
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)