Health Care

CCLP takes a two-pronged approach to health care reform. We examine and address the systematic problems that present barriers to those attempting to access our current health care systems, while at the same time working towards the ultimate goal of ensuring that the 1.2 million Coloradans who currently are uninsured or underinsured have access to health care.

Over 777,500 Coloradans, including 161,000 children, currently have no health insurance and an equal number are underinsured. Eighty percent of the medically underserved are working adults and their children. Most are in low wage jobs that either do not offer employer subsidized health insurance or offer policies that workers cannot afford to cover their families.

Nationally, the number of Americans without health insurance increased by 1.3 million from 45.3 million in 2004 to 46.5 million in 2005 (CPS). The percentage of people without health insurance of any kind is now 15.9 percent.

Cost is not the only barrier to access to health care. Even people with incomes low enough to qualify for public health insurance through the Medicaid program cannot always access the services offered. Factors ranging from a complicated application process to a faulty computer benefits and eligibility system (CBMS) contribute to the severity of the problem.

CCLP has a proven track record of changing public policy to ensure that more Coloradans, particularly low income and vulnerable people, receive the healthcare they need.

CCLP Health Policy Program Recognized with National Award

Elisabeth Arenales, CCLP Health Policy Director, wins prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Community Health Leadership Award

In June 2006, Elisabeth Arenales, CCLP's Health Policy Director, was one of 10 people across the nation to win the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Community Health Leadership Award.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) initiated the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program (CHLP) in 1991 to recognize individuals' contributions to improving health and health care in their communities. The program is ongoing. Through $120,000 awards to their organizations, CHLP honors unsung and unusually resourceful people working in communities across the country to improve access to health care, and both the health and local health conditions of often disenfranchised populations.

CHLP's working definition of health, established in 1993, is derived from the holistic one used by the World Health Organization, which includes physical, emotional, mental and spiritual elements. Thus, domestic violence, environmental pollution, poor housing, and urban violence all come into play as relevant threats to health under this definition. CHLP's vision also recognizes that social and economic stability, along with educational investments, directly impact the health of a community. CHLP also recognizes the role that advocacy plays in health promotion.

Elisabeth and CCLP believe that Colorado's health advocacy community is rich with people deserving recognition for their tireless efforts to guarantee access to quality health care for all Coloradans. In particular, CCLP and Elisabeth would like to recognize the leadership of Lorez Meinhold, Dede DePercin and the board and staff of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

To honor the fact that successes are never achieved in isolation, the Colorado Center on Law & Policy and Elisabeth will share the $120,000 RWJF award equally with the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

For more information on CCHI, visit their website at www.cohealthinitiative.org