208, 2010 or 10,099 -- the real measure of Colorado's health?

Colorado is a healthy state, right? More than 300 days of sunshine, the mountains, the skiing, the hiking, the altitude...

Well, unfortunately those attributes don't necessarily make our state healthy. In fact, Colorado dropped from the 27th to the 32nd healthiest state in 2006 (Morgan Quitno Press). You see, as it relates to our children we have too many babies born with low birth weights and we are still struggling to get all children vaccinated - and, in regard to our citizens with developmental disabilities and their families we have waiting lists that can last ten plus years with no help to those waiting -- and, for our citizens with mental health issues there are rampant claims of underservice - and, moderate and low income families can't seem to find affordable health care for even the most basic of needs. Actually, our state is a little ill.

Colorado is trying to get better, right? Well, maybe.

The 208 Commission (Also Known As) Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform

The 208 Commission was authorized via the Colorado legislature in 2006. It is charged with seeking, understanding, and then presenting comprehensive statewide health care reform options by providing specific recommendations to improve the health care system in Colorado. The Commission will study and establish health care reform models that expand health care coverage and decrease health care costs for Colorado residents with special attention given to the uninsured, underinsured, and those at risk of financial hardship due to medical expenses. Testimony to the Commission appears to be initially focused on acute health care delivery and mental health underservice, although additional meetings around the state will continue to gather broad based public and expert input. The Commission will complete its work via a final report with recommendations to the General Assembly by November 30, 2007. For more information, go to www.colorado.gov/208commission.

2010 -- the year all Colorado's children should be guaranteed access to basic health care

Senator Bob Hagedorn has proposed legislation that would make certain changes to Medicaid for children and the Children's Basic Health Plan (CBHP). The bill would establish a 15-member committee whose task would be to develop and oversee the implementation of a plan to provide health coverage for all low-income Colorado children by 2010. Thelegislation would expand Medicaid eligibility for children ages 6 to 19 from 100 percent of the federal poverty level to 133 percent. The bill was introduced in early March 2007 and has a long path to get to the Governor's desk, but few can find fault with an effort to make sure all our children have access to necessary basic and preventative health care. For more information go to Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved at www.ccmu.org, Colorado Children's Campaign at www.coloradokids.org or e-mail Senator Bob Hagedorn at senbob@msn.cm

10,099 - the number of children and adult with developmental disabilities and their families waiting for access to any long term health care supports

Representative Michael Garcia, Colorado's Assistant House Majority Leader, is in the process of introducing to the 2007 legislature a resolution to create an interim committee to study long term care health care supports for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. With 10,099 children, adults and families waiting sometimes up to 10 years or more for any type of service (CDHS, Quarterly Mgt. Report, November, 2006) -- this is not simply an issue of underservice, this is an issue of absolutely no service. Individuals and their families are waiting for services that would provide twenty-four hour personal care supports; behavioral therapies; supported employment; transportation; respite, etc. Garcia anticipates he will introduce his bill by early April. The interim committee would study the existing system of long term care supports for efficiency, transparency, accountability and innovation as well as the current and future financial needs. The Interim Committee is epected to make recommendations to the General Assembly by November, 2007. Garcia will need to run the resolution through both General Assembly Houses and has reached out to Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon for Senate sponsorship. For more information, e-mail Representative Michael Garcia at michael@michaelgarcia.info or visit The Arc PLAN at www.thearcplan.org - thearcplan@yahoo.com.

Colorado citizens want a healthy state, right? Well, now that is really up to you -- join any of the above or other equally valuable groups working to make sure Colorado's state health is on the road to a full recovery.