The Colorado Trust

Partnership for a Healthy Colorado Announces Health Reform Principles

Can the business and labor communities in Colorado work together for the greater good? Together with health care and advocacy organizations, business and labor are doing just that through the Partnership for a Healthy Colorado. This grassroots alliance of “strange bedfellows” has been working together for the past year and is committed to finding common ground to achieve health care reform.

The Partnership’s members include AARP, Autism Society of Colorado, The Bell Policy Center, Business Health Forum, Colorado Association of Health Plans, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, Colorado Medical Society, Colorado State Association of Health Underwriters, Front Range Economic Center, Kaiser Permanente, National Federation of Independent Business, Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance and Service Employees International Union.

“I think most of us joined this alliance with high hopes for our overall goal of reforming Colorado’s health care system. At the same time, knowing that the devil is in the details, it’s probably safe to say that we also had reservations as to whether we could all really get past our many differing views,” said Tony Gagliardi, Partnership member and State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business. “In fact, not only did we successfully work our way through potentially contentious issues this past year, we also developed a strong, comprehensive list of shared principles for reform that reflect our common ground and provide us with a starting point for moving toward quality, affordable health care.” Tony emphasizes that the Partnership’s principles, listed below, are meant to be considered together and not in isolation.

Shared Principles of The Partnership for a Healthy Colorado

The Partnership for a Healthy Colorado believes that we all have a stake in the urgent need to improve the delivery of health care in Colorado. For decades, the cost and demand for care has been outpacing our economy. The corresponding increase in health insurance premiums has resulted in a growing number of people unable to access health care they can afford. Too often, health care is being delivered inefficiently, to the detriment of our state’s physical and financial health. These trends are unsustainable and the status quo is unacceptable. Reforming Colorado’s health care system in a meaningful way will require the responsible engagement of numerous stakeholders. Toward that end, we believe this set of principles, developed by the diverse coalition of businesses, consumers and providers of the Partnership for a Healthy Colorado, can serve as a valuable roadmap to reform. No one principle is to be taken on its own, but rather all are meant to be taken in balance with and in consideration of the others. Genuine reform will require a comprehensive, systemic approach that emphasizes shared responsibility.

• Universal– All Colorado residents should have access to quality, affordable health care coverage. Colorado’s health care system should address non-residents who become ill in Colorado.
• Wellness and Health Promotion – Government, businesses and individuals all have a role to play in the promotion and support of healthy lifestyles.
• Personal Responsibility – Consumers should make reasonable efforts to ensure they finance their health care needs and take an active role in their health maintenance.
• Transparency – Accurate, user-friendly information on price, quality and outcomes should be made accessible to the public.
• Health Information Technology – Greater use of health information technology is necessary to achieve gains in quality, outcomes and efficiencies.
• Competitive Market – Competitive market forces should be included in our health care system because they can play a positive role.
• Coordinated Care – Optimal health and cost efficiencies are achieved through the coordination of care, the use of preventive services and the management of chronic disease.
• Choice – Providing a plurality of options of providers, insurers, plans, benefit designs, and financing for individuals and groups is important in health care reform.
• Regulatory Controls – Regulatory controls should ensure consumer protection and maintain a healthy marketplace.
• Provider Reimbursement – Health care providers should be fairly compensated for their services and in return, providers should ensure that services delivered maximize quality, safe and effective care.
• Public Programs – Government should have a role in facilitating or providing access to health care. Public health and environmental policy should play a meaningful role in ensuring and protecting the good health of our population.
• Long-term Care – Long-term care must be addressed in any health care reform effort.  Coloradans should have a quality, affordable choice to live independently in one’s own home or community.
• End of Life Care – Colorado should address the difficult issues surrounding end of life care.