An Interview with Catherine Strode
Republican Senator Larry Crowder is a fifth generation Coloradan and represents a geographically large rural area of the state. Fifteen of the 16 counties in his district are considered poverty stricken. He was the sole Republican in the State Senate to support Medicaid expansion. Now he is the sole supporter in the Senate of a House Bill that would bring an end to the present hospital provider fee funding system and replace it with a system of funding that would be exempt from the TABOR limits. In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Crowder says his support of the bill is uncomplicated. He supports it he says because, put simply, it meets the health care needs of his constituents.
Republican Senator Defends Support of Hospital Fee Bill Revamp![]() Republican Senator Larry Crowder is a fifth generation Coloradan and represents a geographically large rural area of the state. Fifteen of the 16 counties in his district are considered poverty stricken. He was the sole Republican in the State Senate to support Medicaid expansion. Now he is the sole supporter in the Senate of a House Bill that would bring an end to the present hospital provider fee funding system and replace it with a system of funding that would be exempt from the TABOR limits. In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Crowder says his support of the bill is uncomplicated. He supports it he says because, put simply, it meets the health care needs of his constituents. “We as Republicans are independent thinkers.”Why are you co-sponsoring House Bill 1420, the Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE)? How is this bill a financial boon to the rural hospitals? By supporting this bill are you going against the philosophy of TABOR? How do feel about breaking ranks with your Republican colleagues over this issue? |
Catherine Strode is Advocacy Denver’s Communications and Policy Specialist. She holds a Masters degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Health Care Policy. Catherine publishes Policy Perspective, featuring interviews with state policy makers on issues that affect the work and mission of Advocacy Denver.