Webinar: The Supreme Court and Health Reform: Implications for Colorado

What are some opportunities for health care cost containment, and how does care coordination fit in? What were the key themes of the 2012 session of the Colorado General Assembly, and what's in store for 2013? How will an aging population affect Colorado’s state budget and health care workforce?

The answers to these questions—and more!—are available through a new webinar series available to Colorado health care leaders. As a part of their tenth anniversary celebration, Colorado Health Institute will be offering 10 free webinars throughout 2012. The webinars are designed to review and discuss timely health policy information. Each webinar will be held from noon-1:00pm.

Next Webinar: July 11: The Supreme Court and Health Reform: Implications for Colorado - Michele Lueck, President/CEO (Register)

The Supreme Court Decision and the Affordable Care Act

Yesterday’s ruling by the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act restoring our focus,  and to a degree, clarifying the parameters within which ClinicNET and Community-Funded Safety Net Clinics will continue their work on behalf of low-income, uninsured and underinsured Coloradans.

Some provisions of the ACA were modified and are addressed by briefs and releases from organizations with whom ClinicNET collaborates.  There is value in learning what key stakeholders and associations have to say about the ruling.  Here are some recommended resources:

CCMU is proud to be a part of the work in Colorado to expand and improve health insurance options…—“CCMU Statement on the Affordable Care Act & Health Care Reform,” Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved

ACA-related grants will continue to flow to Colorado organizations.—“The Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act: Implications for Colorado,” Colorado Health Institute

… all rural provisions included in the ACA were upheld in entirety.— “CRHC Responses to Supreme Court Decision,” Colorado Rural Health Center

The Court's decision on the constitutionality of the Medicaid expansion is divided and complicated.—“Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act,” National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics

The continuation of the ACA means that Colorado Community Health Centers will continue to provide health care homes.—“Colorado’s Uninsured Are Winners in the Supreme Court Decision,” Colorado Community Health Network

Colorado can now continue moving forward implementing other provisions of the act and ensuring that all Coloradans are secure in the knowledge they have access to quality, affordable health care when they need it.—“Supreme Court Decision Ensures Health Security for All Coloradans,” Colorado Center on Law and Policy

Examples of Affordable Care Act grants not outlined above to Colorado include: 3.5 million [dollars] for school-based health centers, to help clinics expand and provide more health care services such as screenings to students.—“Two Years Later: The Benefits of the Affordable Care Act for Colorado,” Healthcare.gov

ClinicNET will stay engaged and keep you informed as the safety net community and other leaders in health care reform work through the details of implementation to maximize its benefit for individuals and communities.

The Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act: Implications for Colorado

"The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and especially the individual mandate provision, stands to affect Colorado’s health care system – and hundreds of thousands of the state’s residents - on a variety of fronts.

CHI estimates that about a half-million uninsured Coloradans will gain health insurance by 2016.

These newly-insured Coloradans – those who will become eligible for an expanded Medicaid program, middle-income individuals and families who will qualify for government subsidies to purchase insurance, and employees of small and some larger businesses who aren’t currently offered coverage – will most likely have significant implications for Colorado’s insurance market as well as how health care is delivered in the state.

The Supreme Court ruling created more certainty for the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange (COHBE). Authorized by state law but funded initially through the health law, COHBE is scheduled to open a new marketplace designed to provide affordable insurance by late 2013. A good portion of the newly-insured will most likely buy their coverage through COHBE."  Read Original Article.  (Source: Colorado Health Institute)

Also, please review CHI's Ruling Brief, "The Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act: Implications for Colorado".