Hot Issues in Health Care Conference

December 14 & 15, 2016 ~ Cheyenne Mountain Resort

The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) is pleased to invite you to Hot Issues in Health Care 2016, the state’s premier health policy conference.

This year, we will focus on the future of health care policy in Colorado following the presidential, Congressional and state General Assembly elections. We will discuss our state’s most critical health and health care issues, and the policy options to address those challenges. And we will delve into the federal and state health policy decisions that can best impact health in Colorado’s communities.
For more information and registration click HERE

[Source: Colorado Health Institute]

Safety Net Advisory Committee Discusses the Future of the Accountable Care Collaborative

“The Colorado Health Institute's Safety Net Advisory Committee (SNAC) dedicated its final two learning labs of 2015 to studying planned changes for the Medicaid Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC). CHI wants to help people prepare to contribute to the debate over the new ACC in 2016. The two most recent editions of Food for Thought provide a recap of the SNAC Lab discussions. Read the October edition and the November edition, or visit CHI's SNAC Lab page for even more background.

In October's meeting, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) presented an overview of its plans for the next version of the ACC. The presentation sparked a spirited discussion about the role of public health and oral health in the ACC. In November, evaluators from the Colorado School of Public Health shared early results from their study of the ACC, and HCPF officials returned for more discussion.” [Source: CHI]

2015 Colorado Health Access Survey Results

"Please join The Colorado Trust and the Colorado Health Institute for a briefing on the new data and a discussion about health coverage and health care in Colorado, post-Affordable Care Act. Please select the event which best fits your interest, expertise and availability and RSVP to CHAS@coloradohelathinstitute.org specifying which event you plan to attend.

• Provers and Plans: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 7:30-9:00am, Colorado Health Institute, 303 E. 17th Ave., Denver CO 80203
• Policymakers: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 12:00-1:30pm, Maggiano's Little Italy - Denver Pavilions, 500 16th Street Suite 150, Denver CO 80202
• Community Health and Advocates: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 12:00-1:30pm, History Colorado, 1200 Broadway Ave, Denver CO 80203
• Researchers: Thursday, Sept. 3, 12:00-1:30pm, University of Colorado Anchutz Medical Campus, 13080 E. 19th Ave, Aurora CO 80045" [Source: CHI]

Safety Net Advisory Committee (SNAC Lab) Food for Thought: The ACC’s Big Initiatives

“The Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) represents Colorado’s signature effort to reform how primary care is delivered to Medicaid enrollees. The Colorado Health Institute's latest Safety Net Advisory Committee learning laboratory caught up on some of the top ACC initiatives. This edition of Food for Thought recaps the discussion at the January 22 SNAC Lab, where three experts in different aspects of the ACC spoke about the latest developments.” [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

2015 Legislative Forecast: What to Expect When You're Expecting Gridlock

“Winds of change are blowing at the Colorado Legislature. With Republicans now in control of the Senate and Democrats retaining the House majority, it seems like a formula for gridlock. But could it be an opportunity to cooperate? Join the Colorado Health Institute for a webinar to hear our predictions for the 2015 session, where we'll talk about windmill jousting, Hobby Lobby and, of course, all the latest in health policy.

Click here to register for the “2015 Legislative Forecast: What to Expect When You're Expecting Gridlock” webinar on Wednesday, December 10, 12-1pm. Space is limited.” [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

Reaching Our Peak – Report on State of Health in Colorado

"This Colorado Health Institute project is an annual analysis of the impact of policies, programs and politics on statewide efforts designed to make Colorado a healthier state. Progress is measured in five important areas – schools, the workplace, communities, the health care delivery system and the places where we age. Grading is based on key informant interviews, a review of the data, a thorough review of the literature and on-site visits to promising programs across the state.

Its analysis of where Colorado stands in its journey to better health uses a familiar image: A hiker heading toward the top of a mountain. In 2014, Colorado improved in the communities and schools categories, stayed the same in aging and the workplace, and moved lower in the health care delivery system.  Click here to read the report. For more information about wellness promotion and other wellness related issues, contact daniel.mckenna@state.co.us." [Source: COPrevent]

Follow-up from July 17th SNAC Lab and new resources

“Last week we had our third meeting this year for the Access to Care track of the SNAC Learning Lab. Here is a summary of topics covered at the meeting, including announcements about upcoming work and new resources:

The Dynamics of Demand: Access to Health Care for Immigrants in Colorado: Click here to view the slides presented by the Colorado Health Institute that contain data on the demographics of Colorado’s immigrants and their access to care.  A Food for Thought summary of the learning lab will be posted soon.

Coming Soon: Access to Care Dashboard: This tool is being developed jointly by the Colorado Health Institute and the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved (CCMU) to monitor over time whether Coloradans have access to needed care. The dashboard is split into three areas: coverage, potential access and realized access. Click here to view the draft of the metrics. Please contact Jeff Bontrager (bontragerj@coloradohealthinstitute.org) if you are interested in participating in one or two vetting meetings.

RCCO Approaches to Emergency Department Use: The latest edition of Food for Thought examines how Regional Care Collaborative Organizations (RCCOs) are approaching inappropriate ED use in Colorado’s Medicaid program.

Save the Date for upcoming SNAC Lab Meetings (12-1:30pm): September 18th is the next Track 1 – Accountable Care Collaborative meeting. October 16th is the next Track 2 – Access to Care meeting.” [Source: CHI]

Colorado Health Institute SNAC Lab

“Thanks to all who attended the June 19 SNAC Learning Lab at the Colorado Health Institute. We had a full house and an engaged discussion focused on Emergency Department (ED) use among Medicaid enrollees. We especially appreciate the Regional Care Collaborative Organization (RCCO), Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) and Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) representatives who shared their strategies, metrics, challenges and opportunities on this complicated topic. We will summarize the discussion in our forthcoming edition of Food for Thought.

This SNAC Lab was a continuation of the April discussion of Medicaid ED data and drivers. The April edition of Food for Thought is now posted online here, in addition to all meeting materials and presentations. Be sure to check out the May 2014 edition as well, which focuses on primary care and behavioral care integration.

Save the date for the remaining three SNAC Labs of 2014 (all held 12:00-1:30pm):

• Track 1: Accountable Care Collaborative – September 18
• Track 2: Access to Care – July 17 & October 16” [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

Webinar on Health Policy and the 2014 Colorado Legislature

“What was the most noteworthy health policy bill of the 2014 session? What does this year’s budget tell us about health care priorities in Colorado? And what are the policy implications moving forward? Join Colorado Health Institute for a free webinar on Thursday, June 5, from noon-1 p.m. to learn more.

We will share the highlights of our annual Legislation in Review report, including an analysis of the key health policy trends of 2014 and a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest influencers at the capitol this year. From cost containment to immunizations, we’ll discuss the bills that passed – and those that didn’t – and provide a sneak preview of the policy issues on the horizon for next year. Click here to sign up today. For more information, please contact Megan Lane, Director of Legislative Services, at 720.382.7092 or lanem@coloradohealthinstitute.org.” [Source: CHI]

Oral Health Breakfast Briefing at the Colorado Health Institute

“On Tuesday, December 17th, from 9:30-10:30am, the Colorado Health Institute will be hosting a breakfast briefing on their new county-level supply and demand analysis, More Dental Insurance: Enough Dental Care? A Supply and Demand Analysis of Expanded Dental Benefits in Colorado’s Medicaid Program.  They will be answering questions such as will there be enough dentists? Will there be enough dentists who accept Medicaid? What promising initiatives are underway to increase access to dental care?

Please RSVP to Kathy Helm at helmk@coloradohealthinstitute.org by Friday, December 13th.”  [Source:  Colorado Health Institute]

New Safety Net Advisory Council (SNAC) Learning Lab materials available online

"The Colorado Health Institute convened the fifth SNAC Learning Lab of the 2013-2014 season on November 14th.  This session focused on new data sources that provide the consumer perspective.  The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey measures the patient experience within the Medicaid Accountable Care Collaborative.  The 2013 Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS) providers a consumer perspective on a range of health issues, including barriers to care.  Thank you to those who attended.

The Colorado Health Institute team has posted materials from the meeting here. A summary of the discussion in the fifth of a new series, Food for Thought: Updates from the Safety Net Advisory Committee (SNAC), will be posted in the next few weeks.

The next SNAC Lab meeting, which will focus on the Accountable Care Collaborative, is schedule for Thursday, January 23rd, from 12:00-1:30pm at CHI."  [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

Colorado Health Access Survey: 2013 Key Findings – Webinar Nov. 13

Join the Colorado Health Institute for a webinar on November 13th, 1:30-2:30pm. They will be presenting key findings from the 2013 Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS). Space is limited. Register Now. For more information about the Colorado Health Access Survey, please visit www.coloradohealthinstitute.org. [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

2013 Colorado Health Access Survey Data Released November 5th

“The 2013 Colorado Health Access Survey was released November 5th.  The Colorado Health Access Survey – the CHAS – is the premier source of information on health insurance coverage, access to health care and how health care is used in Colorado. Findings from the 2013 CHAS give a detailed picture of Colorado’s changing health landscape. The data will serve another important function as well – providing a baseline of information to help measure the impact of the Affordable Care Act in Colorado. CHAS data will show how many additional Coloradans obtain health insurance, whether it is affordable and whether having health insurance translates into better access to health care.

High-level findings from the 2013 CHAS:

• 741,000 Coloradoans – one of seven residents – does not have health insurance.
• Hispanic Coloradans are disproportionately uninsured. Approximately 26 percent of the population identifies as Hispanic, but 38.6 percent of the uninsured are Hispanic. (See graph below.)
• Nearly 8 percent of Coloradans said they needed mental health services or counseling services in the 12 months before the survey, but did not get them, with the most frequently cited reasons relating to cost.
• More than one of four young adults between the ages of 19 and 26 do not have health insurance, the highest rate among all age groups.

Visit this page to access more findings from the 2013 CHAS.”  [Source:  The Colorado Trust]

Materials from the 4/25 Safety Net Advisory Committee forum are now available

"Last Thursday marked our first SNAC Learning Lab of the 2013-14 season, and [Colorado Health Institute] couldn’t have asked for a better kick-off. Thanks to those of you who attended the forum on specialty care’s role in the Medicaid Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) and the ACC Payment Reform Initiative (HB12-1281)...The Colorado Health Institute team has posted materials from the meeting here, and plans to post the first of its new series of proceedings, Food for Thought: Updates from the Safety Net Advisory Committee (SNAC), later this week...

We are developing two tracks this year. Track 1 focuses on the ACC. Track 2 focuses on broader issues of access to care. Track 2 kicks off Thursday, May 23 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at CHI. You are welcome to attend either or both tracks.  If you would like to receive Microsoft Outlook meeting appointments for the remaining seven learning labs, please email Kathy Helm at helmk@coloradohealthinstitute.org."  [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

Getting Ready for Expanded Coverage: State Efforts to Understand Health Care Workforce Needs

"Colorado: Since 2004, the Colorado Health Institute has analyzed data on the state’s health care workforce collected by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. This data collection has expanded from physician-specific data to include dentists, registered nurses, social workers, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Last spring, drawing on this information, the Institute reported on access to care and health care workforce issues in Colorado. In December, they released a report on how the distribution of the Colorado workforce affects the health care safety net and access to care."  Read more.  [Source: State Refor(u)m]

Briefs on the Colorado Medicaid Expansion

Medicaid expansion will change the health insurance status of many Coloradans and how they access care.  Learn about the expansion in the issue briefs below.

"The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides financial incentives for states to increase the number of  people eligible for Medicaid – the federal state health insurance program. But while the health care law required states to implement the expansion or face a penalty, a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court made the expansion optional – and the subject of vigorous public policy debate.

Expanding Medicaid in Colorado would affect many Coloradans across a wide spectrum of circumstances..."  Click here to read the full brief.  [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

"The CHAS data provide insight into who Colorado Medicaid enrollees are and how they access and use health care. Medicaid is a valuable program that provides health coverage for low-income Coloradans, some of whom have great health care needs. The 2011 CHAS results show that there are opportunities to strengthen and improve the program, as this population faces unique challenges in accessing health care services when compared with those who are covered by employer-sponsored or individual insurance."  Click here to read the full brief.  [Source: Colorado Health Access Survey]

New county-level estimates of health insurance coverage in 2016

The Colorado Health Institute has released new county-level estimates of health insurance coverage in 2016.  An Excel table with the estimates is available for download from our website here (upon entering your name and email address).  [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

New Medicaid Estimates

"According to a new cost-benefit analysis from the Colorado Health Institute, expanding Medicaid would cost Colorado about $1 billion over 10 years and add an estimated 240,000 to the state’s Medicaid rolls, including as many as 73,000 people who could switch from private to public health insurance.

Colorado lawmakers expect to introduce a bill in the coming weeks that will outline the state's plans for Medicaid expansion.  Read the informative blog post from Health Policy Solutions here."  [Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

[Webinar] Legislative Forecast: Health Care Policy Trends to Anticipate in 2013

When: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MST

"What were the key themes of the 2012 legislative session, and what can we expect in 2013? What were the top 10 pieces of recent legislation that have shaped Colorado's health policy landscape over the last 10 years? CHI's director of legislative services Megan Lane will discuss these themes and more..."  Click here to register.  [Source: Colorado Health Institute]

2012 Election Brief

The 2012 Election Brief from the Colorado Health Institute describes health care implications for Colorado.  Highlights include 6 Six Questions Facing Colorado such as "Will Colorado participate in the ACA’s Medicaid expansion?" and "How will uninsured Coloradans respond to the requirement to purchase health insurance?"  Click here to view the report.