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Press Release- Aug 08, 2007

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2007

Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370

GOV. RITTER ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING COLORADO RURAL HEALTH CARE GRANTS COUNCIL
Panel will distribute $7.5 million from UnitedHealth Group over next six years

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today issued an executive order establishing a new Colorado Rural Health Care Grants Council, which will distribute a $7.5 million charitable gift from UnitedHealth Group over the next six years.

"Many of our rural areas face a critical undersupply of health services," Gov. Ritter said. "As Colorado continues to examine major health-care reform, we must strengthen our delivery systems in rural Colorado to ensure that all Coloradans have access to high quality, affordable health care - whether they live in Denver or Durango."

UnitedHealth committed in 2006 to provide the $7.5 million. The funds will help the state address deficiencies in access to health care for rural and underserved Coloradans. The United Health Foundation has previously donated $1 million to rural health providers.

The $7.5 million will allow the state to establish a grant program, giving rural health providers the opportunity to apply for funding.  Executive Order B-007-07 creates the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council. The Council will:

  • Determine grant funding priorities and criteria;
  • Issue Requests for Proposals to initiate the grant-making process;
  • Review applications and award grants; and
  • Monitor the effectiveness of the grants.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to be part of a public-private partnership to effectively address rural health issues and help thousands of rural Coloradans receive essential health care services," said Elizabeth Soberg, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Colorado. "UnitedHealth Group commits to work collaboratively as a member of the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council to improve access to health care for rural and underserved Coloradans."

The Council will be composed of members appointed by the Governor, including representatives from the Colorado Departments of Local Affairs, Health Care Policy and Financing, and Public Health and Environment; Colorado Division of Insurance; Governor's Office of Policy and Initiatives; and UnitedHealth Group.

"More than 770,000 Coloradans, including 180,000 children, lack health insurance," Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien said. "Many of them live in rural Colorado. I want to thank UnitedHealth for their generous gift, which will go a long way towards addressing rural health care needs."

Rural health care statistics:
  • Four Colorado counties do not have a primary care physician (Bent, Crowley, Park and San Juan).
  • Seven additional counties lack a physician who accepts new Medicaid clients (Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Conejos, Hinsdale, Jackson, Saguache and Washington).
  • Twenty of our 64 counties lack a hospital; 14 of those counties are rural.