A Roadmap for Health Reform in ColoradoRecommendations of theBlue Ribbon Commission forHealth Care Reform
William N. Lindsay III
Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform
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Starting Point for the Journey
Health insurance costs are rising rapidly for businesses and families
– Average premium for employee coverage in Colorado doubled during the decade between 1996 and 2006
– Colorado families spend 19% of their income on health insurance
Percent of Income Needed forHealth Insurance (Colorado)
Source: Len Nichols, The New America Foundation, using data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Kaiser Family Foundation and Current Population Survey
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Starting Point for the Journey
Large numbers of uninsured
– 792,000 Coloradans lack health insurance (17% of the population)
– 180,000 uninsured children
Uninsured are found in all income groups
– 25% of uninsured in households earning $50,000 or more
Most are employed
– 70% are workers or dependents of workers
Average Monthly Uninsured in Colorado by Family Income
Source: The Lewin Group estimates using the Health Benefits Simulation Model (HBSM)
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Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform
Created in 2006 to study health care reform options and make recommendations to state legislature
– Increase coverage
– Reduce costs
27 commissioners
– Appointed by legislative leaders from both parties, Gov. Owens, Gov. Ritter
– Physicians, hospitals, insurance industry, consumers, businesses
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Process
– Asked public for health care reform proposals – received 31
– Selected 4 for evaluation; developed 5th
• A range of approaches
– Analyzed cost, coverage impacts of all 5
Community input
– Open meetings
– 24 community meetings
– Advisory Task Forces
Developed recommendations, presented to legislature
Our Journey So Far
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Build on what we have – or start from scratch?
Emphasize private markets or public coverage – or find a way to balance both?
Which Direction Should We Go?
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Shared responsibility
One size doesn’t fit all
Some people simply can’t afford private coverage
Preserve the safety net
Protect vulnerable populations
Encourage healthy lifestyles, prevention and wellness
Individual choice
Build on strengths of current system
Maximize federal funding
The Commission’s Philosophy
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Implement the recommendations as a package
– Individual recommendations will not be as effective if implemented without the other recommendations
Implement in stages
– Before you expand eligibility for public programs, you must first bring more providers into the program
– Before you require people to have insurance, you must make it affordable and accessible
The Road to ReformHighlights of the Commission’s Recommendations
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Commission’s Proposal:
Provide health insurance to 694,500 currently uninsured Coloradans (88% of the state’s uninsured)
Assure affordable coverage for low- and middle-income legal residents of Colorado
Improve delivery of services to vulnerable populations
Increase prevention, enhance personal responsibility
Reduce costs systemwide
Where Did We End Up?
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2008 Legislature:
Fifteen specific laws
Two Executive Orders
Incremental but fundamental first step
Where Did We End Up?
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Why We’re Confident of This Path
The recommendations are Colorado-specific
– Build on Colorado’s strong private health insurance market and improve Colorado's public coverage programs
The recommendations are bipartisan
– 24 of the 27 commissioners, appointed by leaders from both parties, support the Commission’s recommendations
The recommendations are from all sectors
– Doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, consumers and businesses developed and support the recommendations
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Next Steps
Legislators and governor
– Act on recommendations
You
– Stay informed
– Tell your elected officials what you think
– Help us spread the word
– Participate in the dialogue and the process
For More Information
www.colorado.gov/208commission
Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform