Blog

Well, by now you've no doubt heard the ColoradoCare folks were successful in their signature gathering for Initiative #20.  That is an amazing accomplishment, and we offer our congratulations to the team of people who made that happen.  And we know many HCAC members worked hard to secure signatures for Initiative #20.   We honor that effort, and we honor the contributions of time and money it took to get there.  Kudos to all.

It's the last day of summer. Days are going to get shorter and temps will start to fall, but something is still rising: deductibles, copays, and health insurance premiums.

Help us advocate so that nobody is left 'out in the cold!' To become a financial supporter, please click here.

Save the Date!

On July 30, 2015, HCAC will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Medicare in Flash Mob style!

In Denver, Fort Collins and Pueblo -- Come on and join the celebration!

Health Care for All Colorado - NEWS – April 2015 

Index

1. A message from Donna Smith, Executive Director, HCAC/HCACF.
2. HCAC Denver Chapter Meeting – presentation by CHCC (Sen. Irene Aguilar)
3. Colorado Cost Commission meetings
4. Colorado legislature bills
5. HCAC Annual Meeting
6. HCACF Education Meeting/Fund Raiser – May 2015 – CANCELLED
7. Medicare 50^th Anniversary celebration – July 30, 2015   . 

After Hearing Testimony From HCAC Leader, CO Senate Bill 15-197 Passes Out of Committee

HCAC has taken the position to support SB 15-197, a bill that reduces the number of hours required for Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) oversight from 3600 to 1000 hours, an amount that is still higher than the requirement in most states.  Although years of research and the most recent Institute of Medicine Study conclude that APRNs provide safe, high quality access to care at a lower cost, this bill faces strong opposition from physician groups.  

On March 12,  Judith Burke, HCAC secretary, provided the following testimony to  Senate Health & Human Services Committee on behalf of HCAC. 

Colorado House Bill 1029 and the Extension of Telemedicine

Notes on CO HB15-1029 (Health Care Delivery via Telemedicine Statewide) by Shelley Dworet Cohen, MD, chair of the HCAC legislative committee and former HCAC president.

HR676 -- Improved and Expanded Medicare for All for life Re-Introduced!

Rep. John Conyers, D-MI, has re-introduced HR676 -- and onTuesday, February 3, 2015, HR676 had 44 co-sponsors.  Not one of those co-sponsors is from Colorado even though the single-payer movement is alive and well here.  Please get on the phone and call your elected officials.  

HCAC JOINS IN LARGEST DENVER MLK, JR., MARADE -- SUPPORTS HEALTH EQUALITY

FROM THE  DENVER POST -- Denver Mayor Michael Hancock estimated 30,000-plus gathered at City Park on Monday morning and marched downtown as part of the city's annual Marade. The crowd called — or rather bellowed — for more than just progress in race, marching also for social justice, education reform and healthcare equality.

In Memory of Dr. Gary Parks,

Our Single-Payer Friend and Advocate

Dr. Gary Lee Parks, 64, of Pueblo, passed away on Wed. Sept. 3, 2014, after battling a rare cancer. He was at home with his family by his side.

This weekend I was lucky enough with the help of Progressive Democrats of America and National Nurses United/California Nurses Association to attend the Healthcare-NOW national strategy conference in Nashville, TN.  Ever since I met Healthcare-NOW's founder, Marilyn Clement on July 17, 2007, in Washington, D.C.,  I have been absolutely blessed to know the committed and compassionate people who build the grassroots movement for improved and expanded Medicare for all for life.