Colorado Voices for Coverage (CVC) announced  on Thursday, February 7, 2008 that they have been selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to participate in  a 3-year $750,000 grant project  to  strengthen health care  reform efforts in Colorado. 

CVC is a coalition led by the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, and includes the Business Health Forum, Colorado Progressive Coalition, and Colorado Council of Churches.  They will participate in the Consumer Voices for Coverage initiative, a joint project of RWJF and Community Catalyst, which concentrates broadly on state health care reform initiatives.

“Being chosen to receive this grant demonstrates that health care experts nationwide are looking to our state to set a strong national  standard on strategies that will increase the number of residents who have health insurance,”

- Dede de Percin, Executive Director, CCHI

Initiated by RWJF, Consumer Voices for Coverage will enhance the critical role that advocates play in shaping and promoting comprehensive health reform. The $15 million initiative will strengthen existing advocacy networks in 12 states. Community Catalyst, a national non-profit consumer health advocacy organization headquartered in Boston, will coordinate the effort nationwide.

“Colorado Voices for Coverage has over 40 years of experience as leaders in efforts to reform health care in Colorado.  We are excited to work with such a strong coalition to increase the momentum towards action in this state,” said Susan T. Sherry, deputy director of Community Catalyst, who directs Consumer Voices for Coverage. “Supporting networks that bring the views of real people to policy-makers and key thought leaders in the states about the need for coverage expansion can be a powerful inducement for reform.” 

The CVC Coalition will be closely coordinating efforts to expand coverage for all Coloradans with the 2010 All Kids Covered Initiative, led by the Colorado Children’s Campaign.  The 2010 All Kids Covered Initiative also announced on Thursday that they will be jointly supported by the Packard Foundation and The Colorado Health Foundation as part of the Packard Foundation’s Finish Line Project, which focuses on providing coverage for all children. 

—-The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Staff  

Denver Business Journal - by Bob Mook Denver Business Journal

Echoing the themes laid out by the Senate and House leaders on Wednesday, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday laid out his priorities for 2008 in a state-of-the-state address that was packed with big ideas but thin on funding specifics.

During his 53-minute speech, Ritter discussed the familiar themes of education reform, economic development and health care.

Regarding education, Ritter said he supported recommendations from the P-20 Education Coordinating Council to offer full-day kindergarten to 22,000 more children and increasing funding for the state’s colleges and universities. He also outlined a proposal that aims to align content standards for K-12 with college admission standards.

In economic development, the governor touted increasing the business personal property tax exemption threshold from $2,500 to $7,000, a move he said will reduce the tax burden for more than 30,000 Colorado small businesses.

Ritter also said he would support a $3.5 million annual fund supporting life and bio-sciences businesses. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment for the renewable energy such as wind farms, alternative fuels and solar energy, which he has dubbed "the new energy economy."

"Last year, I said that the new energy economy will become Colorado’s calling card for the 21st century, and it has," Ritter said. Citing deals such as Vestas Wind Systems’ $60 million wind turbine manufacturing plant in Windsor, Ritter said the new energy economy promises "to bring jobs to every corner of Colorado."

To stimulate growth in the state’s new energy economy, Ritter said he supports plans to create a Colorado Carbon Fund, which will provide financial incentives for businesses and individuals to install solar energy panels on their rooftops or to insulate structures.

In health care, Ritter stopped short of promising sweeping, comprehensive reform for the next session, but said he remains committed to his goal of giving all Coloradans access to quality, affordable health coverage. [Read the rest of this article]