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A glance at June…

In our upcoming edition of Policy Perspective, State Senator Irene Aguilar discusses the passage of significant health care legislation in the past session. She also previews potential health care legislative issues to be addressed in the 2015 session.

Health Care Advocacy Program News

A glance at June…

In our upcoming edition of Policy Perspective, State Senator Irene Aguilar discusses the passage of significant  health care legislation in the past session.  She also previews potential health care legislative issues to be addressed in the  2015 session.

Next meeting: Thursday, June 26th
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
AdvocacyDenver office (1905 Sherman St., Suite 300)
The Wellness Committee is currently focused on integrating health education into the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  These meetings are open to everyone; we encourage and welcome a wide variety of community feedback!
New Health Matters class!
Starting June 18, 2014 another Health Matters class will be starting at Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDCR) at their Arvada location.  Health Matters encompasses hands-on exercise and nutrition courses during a 10-week period.  This class is not open to the public, but if you are interested in joining a different session please contact Alexandra Andrews at 303.831.7733 or aandrews@advocacydenver.org.
AdvocacyDenver’s 2014 Membership Picnic!
Thursday, June 19th
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Say hello to our new Health Care Educator and Advocate, Renee! 
Renee Bussenger will be serving AdvocacyDenver as a half-time health educator and halt-time adult advocate! Renee graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Justice and Inequality.  Before coming to work at Advocacy Denver, she divided her time between interning on a sustainable farm in Northern California, and working in Denver at an Adult Day Program. Renee is passionate about community, healthy living, and equal rights amongst all populations.
We look forward to hosting future health classes with Renee!
Health Bills
SB14-118: Protections for Individuals with Disabilities
Signed on May 22, 2014!

This bill makes an effort to align the Colorado Civil Rights Act with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

  • Statutory damages will increase from $50-500 to $3,500.
  • Adjustment of a provision that allows for attorney fees in cases of discrimination against a service animal.
  • Continues current protections for service animals in training
Read the full bill here
SB14-187: Colorado Health Cost Commission
Signed on May 29, 2014!
Senate Bill 14-187 would establish a bipartisan 12-member commission of experts on health costs and support it with $400,000 to hire staff, and seek data from experts and commission studies on why Colorado has some of the highest health costs in the nation!  The commission would meet for three years with the aim of recommending proposed legislation.
Read the full bill here
 Colorado All Payer Claims Database (APCD)

The Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) has designed a new database, which is called the All Payer Claims Database.  “Our current health care system is costly and doesn’t always provide the best results. Many potential solutions exist, but one theme emerges consistently: improving the system starts with better information. This website securely compiles claims data from private and public health insurance payers to provide the most comprehensive picture of costs and service use in the state.”  The site and all its features will be fully functionally by June 30, 2014.

Check out the national Arc’s upcoming, free HealthMeet webinars!
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Health Headlines
Addressing Patients’ Social Needs: An Emerging Business Case for Provider Investment
The Commonwealth Fund
“…80 percent of physicians conclude that addressing patients’ social needs is as critical as addressing their medical needs. Yet until recently, providers rarely addressed patients’ unmet social needs in clinical settings.”
A Survey of Patients, Families and Providersabout Care of Patients with Intellectual Disabilities
American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry
“Patients frequently report difficulties in comprehending information provided to them by their physicians and other health care providers. This problem can be magnified for populations with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), who often have additional barriers to communication not experienced by other patients”
AdvocacyDenver and the Health Care Advocacy Program does not represent opinions, images, or messages expressed or implied in these news pieces.
For questions, comments, or more information on the Health Care Advocacy Program, contact Alexandra Andrews
at 303-831-7733 or aandrews@advocacydenver.org.
1905 Sherman Street Suite 300 | Denver, CO 80203 US