The CHI Connection: July 2012

Contact: Deborah Goeken, Director of Strategic Services

Phone: (720) 382-7094 

The Colorado Health Institute has released a number of new analyses that highlight health policy in the state. CHI’s recent work has included publications, webinar presentations, regular blog posts by CHI analysts, a weekly post by CEO Michele Lueck and our 2011 annual report. Here are the highlights.

Publications:

“The Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act: Implications for Colorado” examines the high court’s decision through a prism of what it means for Colorado’s health care system. This report, released within hours of the ruling, includes CHI’s analysis of five of the biggest questions facing the state as it moves toward implementing health reform, including whether Colorado will choose to participate in the Medicaid expansion outlines in the law.

The publication is available at: http://coloradohealthinstitute.org/uploads/downloads/SCOTUS_Ruling_brief_6_28_12_web.pdf

A summary is available at: http://coloradohealthinstitute.org/uploads/downloads/SCOTUS_Summary_2.pdf

"2012 Legislation in Review" provides a summary of the health policy laws that were passed - and those that weren't passed - in the just-concluded legislative session. CHI has analyzed the health policy work within the framework of the four "E"s: Easing of the budget; Experimentation with existing programs and services; Improving governmental Efficiency; and the looming Elections.

The publication is available at: http://coloradohealthinstitute.org/key-issues/detail/legislation-and-policy/legislation-in-review-2012

"Health Insurance Status of Colorado Adults" updates the number of low-income adults without dependent children. This group has an uninsured rate that is almost twice that of the average adult in the state. CHI estimates that more than 153,000 uninsured AwDCs between the ages of 19 and 64 are in this group, an increase of 7 percent from around 143,000 in 2009.

This publication is available at: http://coloradohealthinstitute.org/uploads/downloads/EBNE_Adults_Fact_Sheet_FinalFinal_6_14.pdf

"Colorado Children's Health Insurance Status" updates the number of uninsured children who are eligible for publicly financed insurance programs. CHI estimates that 82,000 low-income children were eligible for public health insurance programs but not enrolled in them in 2010. This represents a small increase over the estimate for 2009 (78,000) but is substantially lower than 2008 (104,000).

This publication is available at: http://coloradohealthinstitute.org/key-issues/detail/health-coverage-and-the-uninsured/colorado-childrens-health-insurance-status-2012-update

"A Profile of Colorado's Rural Physicians" offers a snapshot of these health care providers, including why they practice in rural Colorado, what keeps them working in their communities and the demands placed on their practices. This information is a resource for leaders working to devise the best strategies to maintain and improve health care access for the state's rural residents.

Available at: http://coloradohealthinstitute.org/key-issues/detail/health-care-workforce/a-profile-of-colorados-rural-physicians

CHI’s Tenth Anniversary Webinar Series:

“The Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act: Implications for Colorado” (June 28, 2012) featured CHI president and CEO Michele Lueck analyzing the five biggest questions looming for Colorado in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision that the health reform law is constitutional.

Presentation available at: http://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/key-issues/detail/legislation-and-policy/the-supreme-court-ruling-on-the-affordable-care-act-implications-for-colorado

To view the recorded webinar: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/768362040

“Reining in Growth of Health Spending” (June 21, 2012) featured CHI analysts Amy Downs and Sara Schmitt discussing reasons behind the rise in health care costs in Colorado, opportunities to control health spending through payment reform and the potential for success.

Presentation available at: http://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/key-issues/detail/legislation-and-policy/reining-in-growth-of-health-spending

To view the recorded webinar: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/541656857

“Legislation in Review 2012” (June 6, 2012) featured CHI president and CEO Michele Lueck providing a rundown of the health policy work completed during Colorado’s 2012 legislative session. She discussed the effort by Colorado lawmakers to make existing programs work better for clients and taxpayers as well as going over a number of individual bills that were passed.

Presentation available at: http://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/key-issues/detail/legislation-and-policy/legislation-in-review-2012

To view the recorded webinar: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/281594976

“Cost Containment Through Accountable Care” (May 23, 2012) featured CHI analyst Jeff Bontrager presenting a learning lab on accountable care organizations, how they work and how care coordination is being used as a tool to reduce costs in Colorado.

Presentation available at: http://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/key-issues/detail/new-models-of-health-care/cost-containment-through-accountable-care

The Most Popular CHI Blogs:

  1. First Dates Announced for CHI Tenth Anniversary Webinar Series by Emily King
  2. An Unwanted Lesson in Care Coordination by Tim Dunbar
  3. Coffee, Uninsurance, and Relationships by West Mori
  4. A Picture of Health by Brian Clark
  5. The Supreme Court Decision: What We Know, What We Don’t by Emily King

 

From Our CEO:

  1. May 29, 2012: Last week, I attended the National Network of Public Health Institute’s annual conference in New Orleans.  I was aware of the complete irony of scheduling a public health conference in a city built on the pleasures of unhealthy choices (Would you like a beignet with that mint julep?). But I must say that the keynote sessions were particularly illustrative of how far we have come in our thinking – and our doing – about public health. 
  2. June 25, 2012: For the past few days, I have been in Orlando, Fla., at Academy Health’s Annual Research Meeting. It’s a star-studded affair if your inclinations lean toward the health policy world. As you can imagine, the events, presentations and plenary sessions are all overshadowed by the imminent Supreme Court announcement on health care reform. 

2011 Annual Report:

Meanwhile, CHI has posted its 2011 annual report online rather than mailing it to stakeholders across the state, a nod to saving postage and trees. The annual report highlights a busy and productive year that included: the first full year of leadership for CEO and President Michele Lueck; a new logo; and a new tag line ("Informing Policy. Advancing Health.") 

Availble at: http://coloradohealthinstitute.org/uploads/postfiles/2011_CHI_annual_report.pdf

New Staff Members:

Finally, we are proud to announce the addition of three employees with a wide range of experience to CHI’s team.

Sara Schmitt, Director, works on a wide range of health issues including cost drivers, oral health, payment reform and population health. Sara also studies Colorado's efforts to promote healthy eating and active living. Before joining CHI, Sara was a policy analyst at he Colorado Rural Health Center. She spent several years in manged care and program development at the University of Colorado Medical Center. She also has worked in policy advocacy and providing supportive services for people living with HIV/AIDs. She earned a bachelor's degree from DePaul Unviersity and a master's degree from the University of Chicago.

Anna Vigran, Senior Analyst and Communications Specialist, joins CHI from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, where she worked as a health communications specialist. As a senior analyst and communications specialist at CHI, Anna will focus on a wide variety of health policy issues. She previously worked as an assistant producer for National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. Anna earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and a bachelor or arts degree in Spanish literature from the University of California, San Diego as well as a Master of Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health.

Megan Lane, Director of Legislative Services, joins CHI to lead the legislative services program, which provides evidence-based health policy data and analysis to lawmakers and other health care leaders. Megan comes to CHI from Denver-based GBSM, where she has been a communications consultant specializing in public involvement, integrated marketing communications, social media, media relations and the nonprofit sector. Her work at GBSM included public involvement for the RTD FasTracks Gold Line Environmental Impact Statement, community relations for Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Over The River, and developing and implementing strategic communications plans for a wide variety of organizations. Before joining GBSM in 2006, Megan was an editor at the Aspen Daily News. She is a graduate of Northwestern University with a journalism degree and a minor in French. She has a Master of Business Administration degree with a focus in marketing from the University of Colorado at Boulder. 

For more information:

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CHI is a trusted source of independent and objective health information, data and analysis for the state's health care leaders. CHI, celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2012, is funded by the Caring for Colorado Foundation, Rose Community Foundation, The Colorado Trust and The Colorado Health Foundation.