A report released today by the Colorado Health Institute shows that while Colorado is making progress in efforts to improve the health of residents, parts of the system are falling short.

The Colorado Health Institute today released a report analyzing the demographic characteristics of Coloradans who would become newly eligible for Medicaid insurance coverage if Colorado opts to expand eligibility.

The Affordable Care Act includes financial incentives for states to expand the insurance program for low-income children, parents, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities and the elderly. But the Supreme Court made the decision optional.

The Colorado Health Institute today released its annual analysis of the number of eligible children in the state who aren’t enrolled in the Medicaid or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) public insurance programs.

About 125,000 Colorado children, or 9.7 percent of all children, didn’t have health insurance in 2011, according to the analysis. This was a decrease from the 132,000 uninsured children in 2010, although the change was not statistically significant.

The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) is marking its 10th anniversary with the publication of a photo book titled “Colorado: A Picture of Health.”

The book shows Coloradans on the front lines of health care - providers, patients, educators, students, volunteers and community health advocates. It covers the state from Montrose to Las Animas, from inner city Denver to the San Luis Valley. And it depicts all ages, from a minutes-old baby to seniors working to stay healthy and vibrant.

Here are some snapshots:

It’s been a busy third quarter at the Colorado Health Institute. CHI’s health policy experts helped to draft Colorado’s State Innovation Models (SIM) Grant request to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation. CHI team members made presentations across Colorado, from legislative town hall meetings to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s health care committee, and from the annual meeting of the Colorado Public Health Association to a gathering of students at the Anschutz Medical Campus hosted by the Colorado Area Health Education Center.

Two weeks ago, August 5-11, the nation’s community health centers were recognized during National Health Center Week. This week, August 20-24, is the third annual Safety Net Clinic Week, sponsored by ClinicNET and the Colorado Rural Health Center.  

In acknowledgment of both events, and to educate the public and policymakers about safety net clinics in Colorado, CHI has published a series of new tools:

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:

What are some opportunities for health care cost containment, and how does care coordination fit in? What were the key themes of the 2012 session of the Colorado General Assembly, and what's in store for 2013? How will an aging population affect Colorado’s state budget and health care workforce? 

Apr 16, 2012 - Marla Williams, president and chief executive officer of Community First Foundation, has joined the board of directors of the Colorado Health Institute (CHI).

Williams joined Community First Foundation in November 2010 to serve as president and CEO. The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life by increasing community generosity and involvement.

Formerly she was a partner with the law firm of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP, where she represented nonprofit clients in all aspects of their business.

Feb 13, 2012 - The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) has named Linda Reiner, director of planning and evaluation at Caring for Colorado Foundation, to its Board of Trustees.  She brings expertise in health, health policy and care delivery to the CHI board.