News Release
11/10/09
New Study Analyzes Economic Impact of Health Reform in Colorado
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce event previews report authored by health policy expert Len Nichols with review and comment by the University of Denver’s Center for Colorado's Economic Future
DENVER – Nationally renowned health care policy expert Len Nichols will join state economic expert Henry Sobanet to discuss a new study about the economic impact of maintaining Colorado’s current health care system. The pair will present their findings at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s seventh annual Health Care Policy Luncheon, presented by Exempla Healthcare.
DMCC President and CEO Kelly Brough said, “Now, more than ever, is the time for us to keep our fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing dynamics of health care in America. This study will give our attendees a new picture of Colorado’s health care issues – and how our system could change.”
The study was initiated and supported by The Colorado Trust and the Colorado Health Foundation in an effort to inform and engage Colorado’s business community and opinion leaders around the state in discussions on health care reform.
A 10-year projection of Colorado’s current health care system found that certain challenges will continue to cause a cycle of rising health care costs, higher premiums and increased strain on Colorado households, employers and governments.
“The upward trend of Colorado’s health care costs has significant implications for the economy,” said Henry Sobanet, president of Colorado Strategies. “Constantly rising health care costs result in lower profits for Colorado businesses, lower wages for Colorado workers and less revenue for the public sector. Over time, other priorities are crowded out.”
“Increasing health insurance coverage in Colorado will result in increased economic output in the state and more jobs, even when the costs of that expanded coverage are taken into consideration,” said Len Nichols, director of the health policy program at the New America Foundation. “Improving the value and efficiency of Colorado’s health care system will free up fiscal resources for other state priorities and, over time, result in higher quality care delivered at a lower cost.”
The event begins at 11:30 a.m. today at the Brown Palace Hotel, 321 17th Street in Denver. Media are invited to attend.
About this study:
The New America Foundation team is led by Health Policy Program Director Len Nichols, Ph.D. The New America Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States. The University of Denver's Center for Colorado’s Economic Future team is directed by Charlie Brown. The Center informs and enhances public dialogue on issues affecting Colorado’s long-term economic health and quality of life by providing information, research and analysis. Henry Sobanet, principal of Colorado Strategies, serves as manager of this project for the University of Denver.
About the Denver Metro Chamber
For more than 150 years, the Denver Metro Chamber has been a leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the seven-county metro region and includes 3,000 businesses and their 300,000 employees, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses at the local, state and federal levels. With its affiliates – the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Competitive Council and the Colorado Space Coalition – the Chamber plays a vital role in defining the economic landscape of our state. For more information, visit www.denverchamber.org.
About the Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation is working to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation by increasing the number of Coloradans with health insurance; ensuring they have access to quality, coordinated care; and encouraging healthy living.
About The Colorado Trust
The Colorado Trust is a statewide grant making foundation dedicated to achieving access to health for all Coloradans by 2018.
