GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLO. – May 4, 2020 –

“Colorado Hospital Association and its member hospitals and health systems appreciate Sen. Kerry Donovan and Reps. Dylan Roberts and Chris Kennedy for their recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Colorado’s health care system and for their willingness to withdraw the public option legislation for this year’s legislative session,” said Chris Tholen, CHA president and CEO. “This public health crisis has changed many things for Coloradans personally, for our health care system and for our state. It has illustrated the critical role that hospitals play to serve their communities, respond to crises and protect the health of our state. It has also demonstrated how crucial it is to support our health care infrastructure – including protecting our front-line workers and facilities that are essential to pandemic response.

“CHA and its member hospitals and health systems are committed to ensuring all Coloradans have affordable coverage and access to health care, as we have demonstrated over the past several years. We look forward to getting back to work with our legislators very soon and developing solutions that do not adversely impact Colorado hospitals, on whom people depend to provide access to care, and which will have suffered a projected $3 billion financing blow from the COVID-19 pandemic by the end of this year.”

About Colorado Hospital Association
Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) is the leading voice of Colorado’s hospital and health system community. Representing more than 100 member hospitals and health systems throughout the state, CHA serves as a trusted, credible and reliable resource on health issues, hospital data and trends for its members, media, policymakers and the general public. Through CHA, Colorado’s hospitals and health systems work together in their shared commitment to improve health and health care in Colorado.
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