Adam Fox
CCHI Membership Coordinator
Getting involved in legislative issues as an average citizen can be intimidating and some people aren’t exactly comfortable with the idea that they may be “lobbying” their representatives. That’s why every year, CCHI organizes our free Health Care Day of Action to help interested citizens and advocates make their voices heard to ensure they can see their doctor when they need to, without unpredictable costs.
It all starts with your voice. Legislators are elected to represent you and are your fellow Coloradans with their own unique perspectives and experiences. Regardless of whether you see eye-to-eye with your legislators on a lot of issues or very few, you should always be able speak with them, share your thoughts, and make sure they hear your voice as their constituent.
This was the inspiration for Health Care Day of Action, which was held for the 7th consecutive year this March. The goal of the event is to connect Coloradans with health care policy issues in our state and help them communicate with their legislators on the issues that are important to them. Health Care Day of Action always provides an introduction to speaking with your legislator, the dos and don’ts, the best methods to contact your representatives, and an overview of some of the health care policies up for debate. With the support of experienced volunteer leaders, attendees go to the Capitol building in groups based on their legislative districts to talk with legislators about health care issues and get comfortable with navigating the process and the building.
This year, Health Care Day of Action was very successful, attracting over 120 attendees. The day featured a legislative panel of 5 legislators, a panel of grassroots organizers sharing best practices as well as Mayra Alvarez (Director of Public Health Policy in the Office of Health Reform) as the keynote speaker. Alvarez stressed the importance of health equity and the importance of public health and prevention as health reform moves forward.
Health Care Day of Action helps Coloradans engage in the legislative process so that health care decisions aren’t left solely to others. It all starts with making your voice heard so every Coloradan gets the care they need when they need it. It’s a common sense goal, and it’s not too much to ask.
If you want to make your voice heard, find out who your legislators are by clicking here, and find their contact information on the Colorado legislature’s webpage. The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative also provides great health policy information and resources for members and interested citizens. Consider joining CCHI as a member, joining our biweekly email newsletter, and sharing your story. It all starts with your voice.
See you next year at Health Care Day of Action 2014!
