The Act:
Establishes a Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform to:
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Work on “comprehensive state health reform,” and
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Provide the General Assembly with specific recommendations regarding the health care system.
The Commissions Purpose is to:
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Study and establish health care reform models to expand health care coverage;
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Pay particular attention to uninsured and underinsured; and
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Decrease health care costs for Colorado residents.
The Commission has 24 members:
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8 consumers,
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8 purchasers who are not health care providers,
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8 experts and business leaders (policy experts, state and local officials, non-profits, physicians, nurses, hospitals, insurers, etc.)
The Commission is appointed by:
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The Speaker of the House, the Senate President, and the Governor each appoint 2 members from each of the above three groups.
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House Minority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader each appoint 1 member from each of the above three groups.
The Commission’s Charge is to:
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Examine Health Coverage and reform models “designed to ensure access to affordable coverage for all Colorado residents;”
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Solicit reform proposals from interested parties;
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Select 3-5 proposals for in-depth technical assessment by an independent contractor;
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Hold meetings around the state to get input; and
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Complete final report with recommendations by November 30, 2007.
The Commission’s Staff:
There are three different types of staff:
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Project Administrator, whose main function is to provide analytical expertise to the Commission.
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Project Coordinator, who coordinates project objectives, timelines and the General Assembly.
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Independent consultant is responsible for modeling the effects of 3-5 selected proposals on such things as cost, coverage, utilization, etc.
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The Speaker of the House and the Senate President appoint the Project Coordinator and the Administrator. The Commission appoints other staff.
Funding the Commission:
The Act creates a Health Care Reform Fund. Sources of funding include:
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Initial General Fund appropriation of $50,000.
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Additional $50,000 appropriation available when matching funds have been raised.
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Gifts, grants and donations. (Note: Act states that donors shall be anonymous to the project administrator and Commission members.)
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