Resources

• 2007 CHA Legislative Report (password sensitive)
  

• Colorado Government Homepage 
• Citizens Guide to Colorado
  (includes Colorado State phone directory, agency index, subject index, permits & licenses index)
• Colorado State Agency Index 
• Rules & Regulations
  Promulgated by Executive Departments (Office of Legislative Legal Services page has links to all State Departments)
• Rule Changes & Meeting Notices
  Department of Regulatory Agencies, Office of Policy, Research & Regulatory Reform
• Department of Public Health & Environment
  Facility licensing and regulations
• Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
  Medicaid, Medically Indigent Program, and Children's Basic Health Plan
• General Assembly 

Links

• Rules and Regulations pertaining to Radiation Control 
• Tips on Testifying before a committee 
• Friends of Colorado Hospitals 

Reports on Legislation

• 2004 Legislative Overview 
• Archives of Key State Legislative Successes 

Philosophy

Government relations at CHA is the art of representing interests through informing, acquainting, educating, and persuading those who govern. It involves communication and interpretation of the laws and regulations of government for those whose interests are affected.

By working together with governing board members and management staff of Colorado hospitals, the CHA team can present a unified hospital voice in federal and state government relations activities. This influential united voice is necessary to achieve adoption of laws and regulations that are in the best interest of the patients served by health care institutions and defeat of proposals that are detrimental to the institutions and those whom they serve.

Differences of opinion are to be expected. If your hospital has a position that differs from the position taken by CHA as a whole, communication is key to the credibility of CHA, you and your hospital. CHA staff will alert your legislators or appropriate regulators about CHA's official position and the fact that your hospital has another perspective. Legislators and regulators appreciate this courtesy and we all remain credible for the next issue -- on which your position may be the same as the majority of the membership.

Government Relations: State

CHA's Government Relations Program serves as an advocate for hospitals, representing their concerns and interests to the Colorado General Assembly and to agencies within the executive branch. State regulatory agencies include the Board of Health, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Medicaid/Medically Indigent programs), the Division of Insurance, the Department of Regulatory Agencies and other health-related boards.

Government relations policy and positions are established by the Board of Trustees acting upon recommendations made by the Council on Legislation/Regulation (Council), the Health Care Council (HCC) and its subgroups, and other CHA Councils. Once such policy is established, the CHA Government Relations team represents this policy to members of the legislature, committee staff and regulatory body personnel through meetings and discussions. The team develops legislative proposals and reports, researches issues and gather facts, and presents CHA policy through testimony at hearings. Member hospitals are often called on to assist in this effort.

CHA follows these procedures in addressing legislative activities:

• The CHA team review all bills introduced during the legislative session to determine if they are of interest to hospitals or the health field. If the proposed legislation is a health care/hospital concern, the CHA legislative action process begins.
• Proposed legislation affecting health and hospitals is analyzed by the CHA team and then submitted to the Council on Legislation/Regulation or an HCC subgroup depending upon subject. The Council or the HCC Subgroup discusses and debates the issues of the proposed legislation and arrives at a recommendation on policy or position. Council or subgroup recommendations are reported to the CHA Board of Trustees. The CHA Board may make the final determination of CHA's official position if there is a lack of consensus among Council or subgroup members.
• As bills progress through the legislative process, the CHA team supports, opposes, or monitors legislation, as applicable. CHA team members meet with individual legislators to advocate official CHA positions. Bills may be amended substantially, changing the focus of the bill enough to warrant that a new CHA position be determined.
• You may be called on by a CHA team member to testify before a committee on a proposed bill. Prior to giving testimony, the CHA team will provide you with research and guidance on the bill being considered, and the appropriate protocol when coming before a committee.
• You may be asked to contact your legislator on specific issues. Briefings are both regular (see the Friday Newsletter (HealthBEAT) and Legislative Report) and specific to issues you are asked to address.

If you have a position that differs from the position taken by CHA as a whole, communication is key to the credibility of both CHA and you and your hospital. If you wish to discuss your position with the Council or an HCC subgroup, you can schedule that opportunity by contacting CHA government relations staff. Differences of opinion are to be expected. A CHA team member will alert your legislators to the official CHA position and to the fact that your hospital has another perspective. Legislators appreciate this courtesy and we remain credible for the next issue - on which your position may be the same as the rest of the membership. The CHA team will assist you in the process even though your position differs from the majority position.

You can take an active role in CHA advocacy efforts by contacting CHA Government Relations staff if:

• You have an issue that might be resolved through legislation or regulation, or have hired an outside lobbying firm;
• You, a member of your management team or Board of Trustees has a personal relationship with a legislator;
• You are planning an event with your legislator(s), so that CHA does not schedule a competing event;
• You have designated someone on your staff to handle goverment affairs so that he/she may receive notice of legislative developments or the need for grassroots action.

Coordination of resources benefits all.

Government Relations: Federal

The partnership between the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Colorado Health & Hospital Association (CHA), along with others, is crucial to achieve results at the national level. AHA coordinates its activities with state associations as well as with individual hospitals. Special calls for action frequently come to CHA which are evaluated for the most effective response from Colorado hospitals. Sometimes, CHA responds on behalf of all its members with letters to Congress, and other times the call goes out to individual hospitals to write or call their individual members of Congress. Comments and questions on federal pending legislation should be directed to: Susan Rudy, at 720-489-1630 ext. 32.