CHCS Launches Affinity Group for U.S. Charity Care Programs

Following implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), an estimated 20 million individuals will remain without health insurance, suggesting a continued need for charity care programs that offer low- or no-cost coverage to the uninsured. However, it is unclear who in 2014 will seek such coverage, what their health needs will be, or how they will utilize charitable health care services.

To remain viable, charity care programs must now consider how to adapt their business models and delivery systems to uncertain resources and demand for services following ACA implementation. With support from Kaiser Permanente through a charitable fund established at the East Bay Community Foundation, CHCS has launched an affinity group for 10 invited charity care programs to share best practices and consider potential roles in the state insurance exchanges and/or Medicaid.

For more information, click here.

Mental Health First Aid Course this month!

A 12 hour certification course to help communities better understand mental illness and respond to psychiatric emergencies.

Mondays: January 9, 16, 23, & 30
4:00pm-7:00pm
East Montclair Community Center, 6740 E. Colfax Ave., Denver 80220

Click here for more information and how to register. 

NGA names four states for chronic care collaborative

The National Governors Association (NGA) announced Tuesday that Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Pennsylvania have been selected to participate in the NGA's new learning collaborative on integrating chronic disease prevention services.

According to NGA, chronic disease is a major contributor to rising healthcare costs in the United States, accounting for 84 percent of healthcare spending. To address one of the root causes of rising costs, state public health officials focus on preventive care by promoting physical activity and better nutrition, smoking cessation, screenings for cancer and diabetes and programs to help people control their blood pressure and asthma.

For more information, click here.

New web resource for tracking public policy

The Colorado Trust launched a new section of its website dedicated to tracking and informing public policy issues that could affect the health and well-being of Coloradans. The new section of the site includes information about federal, state and local  laws, regulations, bills, judicial decisions and political events. It  highlights information about Colorado health and fiscal policy, federal health care reform and national health policy, and provides daily news updates, links to key publications and health policy-related websites.

Building Medical Homes: Lessons From Eight States with Emerging Programs

The Commonwealth Fund reports on eight states that are at different stages in the development and implementation of a medical home program and have relied on different strategies to encourage primary care providers to adopt the model, including developing state medical home qualification standards instead of  adopting national standards. Click here to read the full report.

State Health Spending Gap Widens

Kaiser Health News reports that a state-by-state breakdown of estimated health care spending found that the  gap is broadening between the highest-spending and lowest-spending states. Click here to read the complete article.

Update to the Colorado Medicaid EHR Incentive Program

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing continues to work on implementing the
Colorado Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, through which eligible health care
professionals and hospitals can receive incentive payments for adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR
technology.

> Medicaid Program Status Update