Public has role in resolving health-care crisis
State Blue Ribbon panel will hold public meeting here May 12
The issue of access to health care could be compared to the weather.
Everybody complains about it, but nobody does anything about it.
But that may change May 12, when Northern Colorado residents are invited to share what principles they believe should be a part of any health reform plan, including specific features. The opportunity to offer suggestions comes at a Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform.
The state Legislature, at the behest of Gov. Bill Owens, created the commission in 2006 to bring forth recommendations for comprehensive health-care reform. The diverse panel, appointed by governors Owens and Bill Ritter and state House and Senate leaders, is expected to address issues of the uninsured, underinsured and those at risk of financial hardship due to the costs of medical care.
Following several rounds of public forums, the commission has received 28 reform proposals, which it is expected to whittle down Monday. By May 18, the group is expected to narrow proposals down to three to five and submit them to an independent firm for evaluation.
On May 12, the commission will ask residents to provide written testimony in addition to oral remarks in response to the following questions:
This public meeting is an opportunity for residents to be a part of the solution regarding health-care reform. While we can’t collectively control the weather, the public does have an important role in directing policy that will expand access to health care.