Sen. Spence with Gov.Ritter at 9Health Fair bill signing
Colorado's health care system is far from perfect, but it is still one of the best in the country. Instead of taking a wrecking ball to the current system, our priority must be to get more people insured. Most Coloradans actually like their health care. What they are worried about, however, is that rapidly rising costs will price them out of the system.
Gov. Ritter has taken a set of Building Blocks from the 208 Commission and his own statewide hearings to guide the next steps toward comprehensive reforms. Building Blocks for Health Care Reform began the process of phased implementation of the 208 Commission's comprehensive vision.
2008 Legislative Session Action
Sen. Spence, as a member of the "Covering All Children by 2010" Commission, worked to pass a bill that would increase eligibility for CHP+, enabling 55,000 more children to enroll in the program. SB 08-161 was passed and signed into law by the Governor.
Working with the 9Health Fair, Sen. Spence carried a Voluntary State Income Tax Check-off bill that was signed into law by Gov. Ritter in May. The resources that are generated will help the 9Health Fair to provide low cost health screenings to thousands of citizens at sites all across Colorado.
The single greatest health care success in the 2008 session was defeating a bill that would have raised limits on pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice cases. The bill, SB 08-164 would have increased health care costs and decreased access to care at a time when Colorado health reform efforts are attempting to move us in the opposite direction.
Sen. Spence has been recognized for her work on healthcare issues by the Univ. of Colorado Health Sciences Center, the Univ. of Colorado School of Dentistry, the Colorado Association of Community Centered Boards, and the American Heart Association.
She has sponsored Joint Resolutions on Support for People with Disabilities, Brain Injury Awareness, Bonfils Blood Donations, Hydrocephalus Awareness Month,and Give Kids a Smile.