Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has initiated enacting national health care reform by issuing an executive order naming a director of implementation, and creating a new inter-agency task force. Governor Ritter also signed into law four bills for state health reform initiatives: to standardize policy forms and the explanation of benefits; to require health and auto policies to be written in plain language at consumer-friendly reading levels; to help public and private loan repayment programs for health care professionals to practice in rural and underserved communities; and improving the state's existing nurse loan forgiveness program by extending eligibility requirements.

"Colorado has never waited for Washington on health care reform, and we aren't about to start waiting now," Governor Ritter said in his press release. "Because of our efforts the past few years, Colorado is better positioned than most states to make the most of national reform. National reform allows us to accelerate and build on our work to provide higher quality care at lower costs to more Coloradans. Today marks a new chapter for health care in Colorado."


The Senate Committee Hearing can be accessed at: http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=fcb9fc16-5056-9502-5df4-39ca2bf6c81b

Secretary Sebelius' letter: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/04/20100423a.html

Governor Ritter's press release: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=GovRitter%2FGOVRLayout&cid=1251573991571&pagename=GOVRWrapper

Governor Nixon's press release: http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2010/Missouri_Prompt_Pay_Law

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