GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLO. – Jan. 25, 2019 – Today, a coalition of Colorado Hospital Association (CHA), the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and
Today, Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) is releasing “Health Care Costs and Hospitals: Drivers and Opportunities” – a report that examines a number of components that are tied to health care costs and affordability. Despite recent reports of higher than average costs in Colorado, Colorado actually spent the 5th lowest amount per capita on health care in 2014 (the most recent year for national expenditure data) and nearly 17 percent less per person than the national average. This report examines those comparisons to national data, as well as the role of the cost of living in Colorado and its impact on administrative and capital costs for hospitals; the correlation between hospital overhead costs and health insurance premiums and how hospital building and development compares to national trends.
In the 2019 legislative session, Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) is helping bring forward legislation to create a new licensure category through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs). The Association is pursuing this effort to help address concerns from consumers, legislators and stakeholders in recent years about the proliferation of FSEDs and their billing practices.
Colorado Hospital Association and its 110 member hospitals and health systems congratulate Governor-elect Polis and the transition team on their Cabinet nominations. Specifically, CHA congratulates Kim Bimestefer on being nominated as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.
Colorado Hospital Association and its member hospitals and health systems are disappointed that Kaiser Permanente Colorado shifted blame to Colorado hospitals instead of taking any responsibility for its recent business decisions in light of its projected $65 million loss. By its own admission, Kaiser’s hospital expenses have increased a modest 2.7 percent annually in recent years, while Kaiser premiums in the individual market have increased more than 70 percent since 2014.
“In recent years, Colorado has made great strides in improving coverage and access to care for all Coloradans,” Steven J. Summer, CHA president and CEO, said. “With a record low uninsured rate, we are beginning to see the system work as it should – with people accessing preventive and primary care and not just relying on the hospital emergency department for care when medical conditions become emergent. Anything that sets us back from that progress – which we believe this proposal has the potential to do – should be reconsidered.”
CHA was recently awarded the Building Trust and Mutual Respect to Improve Health Care grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The grant monies will be used to analyze whether hospital-based patient family engagement (PFE) programs increase the trust and communication climate among patients, providers and staff of rural and critical access hospitals. The study will also help by identifying the effectiveness of a variety of strategies.
CHA has received national recognition for outstanding performance in driving quality care, safety and value across its network of hospitals. The HRET HIIN Quality Award honors outstanding achievement in creating a culture of patient safety, delivering value and executing evidence-based practices as part of day-to-day operations. CHA has 50 Colorado hospitals participating in the Hospital Improvement Innovation Network (HIIN) initiative, which focuses on reducing patient harm through a number of patient safety and quality improvement efforts. The Association was also recognized for its effort to reduce opioid administrations in hospital emergency departments through the Colorado ALTO Project.
Jason Cleckler, CEO of Delta County Memorial Hospital received the American Hospital Association (AHA) 2018 Grassroots Champion award at the recent Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) CEO Forum in Vail on July 12, 2018. Each year, AHA partners with state hospital associations to recognize the achievements of grassroots leaders who effectively deliver the hospital message to elected officials; help broaden the base of community support for hospitals; and advocate tirelessly on behalf of patients, hospitals and communities.
Colorado Hospital Association and its member hospitals and health systems would like to thank Senators Cheri Jahn and Kevin Priola and Representative Brittany Pettersen, for their leadership in sponsoring House Bill 18-1136. This landmark legislation, which passed the Senate unanimously on third reading this morning will close a gap in coverage for Coloradans long-struggling with substance abuse disorders. As a result, individuals insured by Medicaid will have consistent coverage of physical and behavioral health conditions for the first time.
CHA has announced the release of the Colorado Hospital Price Report, recently updated to offer health care consumers a wide selection of data from Colorado hospitals on a user-friendly platform. CHA believes that all health care consumers should have access to meaningful information pertaining to their chosen health care facilities. The available data provides consumers useful, up-to-date information regarding price and quality outcomes when they are making important decisions about where to go for their health care.
“We applaud the focus on continuing to improve health outcomes as is often included in value-based payments models, but believe that to create a truly affordable health care model, the total cost of care must be managed.” said Steven Summer, CHA president and CEO. “The Association believes that to be truly successful, the blueprint will need to ensure its scope on payment reform includes state, federal and private sector payers and needs to include all components of health care.”