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The moment we’ve been waiting for
The Colorado Legislature usually starts off at a quick pace but each year, as we move closer to March, the wheels of progress begin to slow as bills with high budget costs stack up in line awaiting their respective Appropriations Committees to decide if they make the financial cut. Our Legislative Committee members have watched as most of our bills made it through their first committee and then were sent to Appropriations to wait with all the others. At the end of March, there were 150 bills in the state legislature at a standstill awaiting their fate. Ahead of those bills was the recently introduced state budget for this fiscal year, otherwise known as the “Long Bill.” And legislators made it clear they wouldn’t look at new bills until the Long Bill was passed. That meant that while we are still confident our priority bills will make the cut, there was not much to do but wait.
And finally, it’s the moment we’ve been waiting for!
The Long Bill has passed, and all other bills can begin making their way through the Appropriations Committees. We’re still waiting on several of our bills to be scheduled to be heard but expect movement shortly.
All this didn’t slow our committees down though. We’ve been anticipating not only which bills will pass, but what work will happen for us in Western Colorado post-session to help bolster the bills we are working hard to support. Here’s a closer look at a West Slope issue, and one of the bills we’ve been following closely this year:
Healthcare at the Capitol
Less highlighted this year has been our focus on healthcare at the Capitol. Although many of the members of our Legislative Committee joined our work for a variety of issue interests, they also found something in common — a relationship with our healthcare system. Some of our Legislative Committee members are medical and behavioral health specialists, and others have personal and ongoing stories regarding their struggle to access the healthcare they need, as I am sure you might as well. This year, we’ve prioritized that focus a bit more, and here are a few examples to explain why.
Committee member Raena Wedel says, “With over 1,000 people living in the West End of Montrose County, having local healthcare facilities and providers is essential. Our towns consist of mostly low-income families that rely on Medicaid/Medicare and cannot afford to drive to see a medical professional. We currently do not have any after-hours or weekend services, putting a strain on our EMT providers, who are all volunteers. If there is an emergency after clinic hours or on weekends, it is a guaranteed two-hour ambulance ride to Montrose or Grand Junction. It is an even longer drive if you happen to live in Paradox or Bedrock. Our local clinic is getting less and less funding and the clinic that is 20 miles away, in Norwood, San Miguel County, cannot take all of the West Enders as patients. The one dentist office in Norwood already has a six-month wait list. If our government wants healthy constituents, they must fund our providers.”
And Carolyn Dresler says, “In Ouray County, we do not have a pharmacy, and we have a single primary care provider. If you have insurance, you may have a high (unaffordable) co-pay and may not be able to afford your medications. One employed prominent citizen has a $8000 deductible each year. Who can afford that? We need affordable healthcare, best without the middle people who increase the costs — whether for prescriptions or insurance. We need people to regularly see a good healthcare provider for preventive care and we need dental care that is affordable. We need readily available and affordable mental health/behavioral health care.”
That’s why this year we are tracking 19 healthcare-related bills with a primary focus on HB24-1075, the Analysis of Universal Health-Care Payment System bill which would create an advisory task force with the mission of advising the Colorado School of Public Health in conducting an analysis of draft model legislation concerning a statewide universal health-care payment system to be considered in future legislative sessions. We see this as a step in the right direction toward progress to create an equitable healthcare system for all. We’ll keep you updated as this bill is also currently awaiting its moment in the Appropriations Committee.
A Personal Note
In personal news, the moment I’ve been waiting for is almost here too! Today, I am 38 weeks pregnant, and we are counting the days until we get to meet our new little one. When the moment comes, I am confidently leaving our work at the Legislature in the hands of our Lead Organizer Nick Allan, who will continue to send out updates on the legislative session, as well as work with our team to finish out our work at the Capitol! Moving forward you will begin receiving legislative communications from Nick and you can reach out to him at nick@westerncoloradoalliance.org.
Jeriel joined the Western Colorado Alliance staff in February 2017 (back when we were still Western Colorado Congress), but you may remember her as our Canvass Director for the successful Minimum Wage ballot initiative in 2016! In her young career, Jeriel has worked with engaged citizens across Colorado on issues ranging from veterans' affairs, healthcare and women’s rights. Jeriel has called Grand Junction and the Western Slope home for 16 years, and enjoys running, hiking, biking and crafting with her daughter Emma.