FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		Media Contact:  Chris Power Bain
February 13, 2008		Phone: (303) 953-3618
		Mobile: (303) 810-9007

Joint Statement on Governor Ritter’s Proposed Building Blocks to Health Care Reform

DENVER—Colorado’s health foundations – Caring for Colorado Foundation, Rose Community Foundation, The Colorado Health Foundation and The Colorado Trust – share a strong commitment to seeing that all Coloradans have access to affordable and quality health services.  We applaud the Governor for his announcement today that includes realistic steps towards quality, affordable health care for all Coloradans.  We commend Governor Ritter for his leadership in taking these steps down the road to meaningful health care reform for Colorado.  

The Governor’s health care proposal takes important first steps to covering more of Colorado’s children and ensuring they have a regular source of care or “medical home” as well as making sure there are doctors available to provide quality, integrated care and offers strategies to expand access to care in rural and underserved communities.  These recommendations capitalize on the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Reform’s work, represent a “down payment” on the road to reform, and are in keeping with his original “Colorado Promise,” which has a goal of ensuring that all Coloradans will have affordable coverage in a more efficient and accountable system of care.

Collectively and as individual foundations, we believe strong action is needed and encourage the General Assembly to work in a bipartisan way to enact meaningful reform. 

About The Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation works to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation by improving access to affordable, quality health care and encouraging Coloradans to make healthier lifestyle choices. The Foundation's assets of nearly $900 million include an investment portfolio as well as an ownership interest in Denver’s HealthONE hospital system. The Foundation invests in the community through grants and initiatives, medical education programs and direct care programs serving older adults, families, mothers and infants. For more information, please visit www.ColoradoHealth.org.