A Roadmap for Health Reform in Colorado Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform William N. Lindsay III Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform

2 Starting Point for the Journey n Health insurance costs are rising rapidly for businesses and families –Average premium for employee coverage in Colorado doubled during the decade between 1996 and 2006 –Colorado families spend 19% of their income on health insurance Percent of Income Needed for Health Insurance (Colorado) Source: Len Nichols, The New America Foundation, using data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Kaiser Family Foundation and Current Population Survey

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform 3 Starting Point for the Journey n Large numbers of uninsured –792,000 Coloradans lack health insurance (17% of the population) –180,000 uninsured children n Uninsured are found in all income groups –25% of uninsured in households earning $50,000 or more n Most are employed –70% are workers or dependents of workers Average Monthly Uninsured in Colorado by Family Income Source: The Lewin Group estimates using the Health Benefits Simulation Model (HBSM)

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform 4 n Created in 2006 to study health care reform options and make recommendations to state legislature –Increase coverage –Reduce costs n 27 commissioners –Appointed by legislative leaders from both parties, Gov. Owens, Gov. Ritter –Physicians, hospitals, insurance industry, consumers, businesses

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform 5 n Process –Asked public for health care reform proposals – received 31 –Selected 4 for evaluation; developed 5 th A range of approaches –Analyzed cost, coverage impacts of all 5 n Community input –Open meetings –24 community meetings –Advisory Task Forces n Developed recommendations, presented to legislature Our Journey So Far

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform 6 n Build on what we have – or start from scratch? n Emphasize private markets or public coverage – or find a way to balance both? Which Direction Should We Go?

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform 7 n Shared responsibility n One size doesn’t fit all n Some people simply can’t afford private coverage n Preserve the safety net n Protect vulnerable populations n Encourage healthy lifestyles, prevention and wellness n Individual choice n Build on strengths of current system n Maximize federal funding The Commission’s Philosophy

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform 8 n Implement the recommendations as a package –Individual recommendations will not be as effective if implemented without the other recommendations n Implement in stages –Before you expand eligibility for public programs, you must first bring more providers into the program –Before you require people to have insurance, you must make it affordable and accessible The Road to Reform Highlights of the Commission’s Recommendations

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform 9 Commission’s Proposal: n Provide health insurance to 694,500 currently uninsured Coloradans (88% of the state’s uninsured) n Assure affordable coverage for low- and middle- income legal residents of Colorado n Improve delivery of services to vulnerable populations n Increase prevention, enhance personal responsibility n Reduce costs systemwide Where Did We End Up?

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform Legislature: n Fifteen specific laws n Two Executive Orders n Incremental but fundamental first step Where Did We End Up?

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform 11 Why We’re Confident of This Path n The recommendations are Colorado-specific –Build on Colorado’s strong private health insurance market and improve Colorado's public coverage programs n The recommendations are bipartisan –24 of the 27 commissioners, appointed by leaders from both parties, support the Commission’s recommendations n The recommendations are from all sectors –Doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, consumers and businesses developed and support the recommendations

Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform 12 Next Steps n Legislators and governor –Act on recommendations n You –Stay informed –Tell your elected officials what you think –Help us spread the word –Participate in the dialogue and the process

For More Information Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform