The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, one of the state’s leading health advocacy organizations, announced that Executive Director Adela Flores-Brennan will be leaving the organization at the end of March.
CCHI is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group that represents more than 40 Colorado health organizations with more than 500,000 health care consumers. The nonprofit focuses on advocating for consumer protection and health equity.
Adam Fox, deputy director, will step in as interim executive director until a new leader has been appointed.
“It has been an honor to work with an amazing team of committed, mission-driven leaders at CCHI,” said Flores-Brennan in a statement. “While I am sad to leave the team, after more than seven-and-a-half years, I know that it is time to hand over the reins and create space for new energy and new leadership. I am so proud of the work we have accomplished to pass legislation that improves health care for the people of Colorado, and to provide life-changing services to people through our Consumer Assistance Program.”
During Flores-Brennan’s time at the helm, CCHI has led several large-scale campaigns, such as Protect our Care Colorado, which defended against the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. CCHI also created the Consumer Assistance Program, which has helped more than 1,600 consumers and saved them $4.3 million in medical bills and prescription drug costs.
CCHI’s board of directors will begin the executive director search in February.
“Of course, we are sad to see Adela leave CCHI,” said board chair Sara Kraeski in a statement. “But we are taking a very thoughtful and intentional approach to the transition. We are grateful for Adela’s commitment to the organization and to ensuring a smooth transition to new leadership. On behalf of the CCHI board of directors, we wish her the best in her new endeavors.”
At the end of 2021, CCHI told Denver Business Journal that it would be focused on the impacts Covid-19 has had on consumers, particularly when it comes to equity in health care.
“The lasting impact of the global pandemic and concurrent economic crisis are leaving increasing numbers of Coloradans without health care coverage,” CCHI wrote in a statement at the time.
“This exacerbates conditions under which people were already struggling to afford quality coverage. Latinx and Black/African American Coloradans are suffering from higher infection and death rates from Covid-19, highlighting the racial disparities in our health care system and emphasizing the need for more affordable coverage options to address structural racism. Rural Coloradans are also being disproportionately impacted by health coverage affordability challenges and the economic impacts of the pandemic. CCHI supports policies that create more affordable health coverage options for Coloradans.”