Access To Health NewsIrene M. Ibarra, President and CEO and Dr. William Maniatis, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
DEAR FRIENDS OF THE COLORADO TRUST,
The same week we learned about how access to Medicaid coverage and caring health care providers are giving young Leslie Rangel and her family a new lease on life (featured in our cover story), Governor Ritter proposed significant cuts to our state’s health system that will further challenge low-income working families in accessing health care. These cuts – along with very serious cuts to the K-12 and postsecondary education systems and other state services – are being recommended to close Colorado’s 2008-2010 deficit of an estimated $1 billion.

To be sure, Colorado is far from alone in facing unprecedented budget shortfalls in this faltering economy. Across the country, states are cutting back health services to their poorest residents amid the economic downturn. As a result, states’ efforts to expand health coverage for children and low-income working families have slowed significantly.

Nonetheless, the proposed cuts in our state come at a very difficult time. As we headed into this recession, Colorado already ranked 44th among states for the percentage of uninsured children and 51st – behind all states and the District of Columbia – for the percentage of uninsured children living at or below 200% FPL. The countercyclical nature of the recession compounds this deficiency by making it nearly impossible under our current health system for government to meet the need for public health care at the same time that a growing number of people are losing their jobs and, as a result, their health insurance.

While there is hope being expressed by many people that comprehensive national health reform may be on the near horizon, we cannot leave it up to others to solve this complex challenge. States must continue to address their specific needs and opportunities. Now more than ever, all stakeholders need to work hard not to forfeit gains and remain committed to finding solutions that will help us to better withstand future challenges.

Sincerely,

Irene M. Ibarra

 

 

Irene M. Ibarra
President and CEO