Regional
(2010-04-20)
DENVER, CO
(KUNC) -
Exactly seven weeks to the day after being admitted to Denver Health for injuries sustained in a bike crash, Governor Bill Ritter returned to the hospital in much better shape to sign a package of health care bills. The package includes a measure that will kick start the implementation of national health reform in Colorado.
The executive order names the governor's current health policy advisor, Lorez Meinhold, as director of implementing the recently-passed health care overhaul bill in the state. It also sets up a task force to oversee progress.
Speaking at the busy pharmacy at Denver Health, Governor Ritter said the state has made great strides on its own, but he said national reforms are long overdue.
"What we know about Colorado is we're better positioned than most states to make the most of national reform, because we did not wait for Washington DC to pass reform," Ritter said.
The governor also signed four state bills, including one that makes it easier for consumers to navigate complicated insurance forms. Ritter predicted that the combination of the new state and federal laws would eventually cause insurance premiums to drop by up to 15% in Colorado.
The democrat also defended his administration's decision to move ahead with implementing national reforms, and not wait for a republican-backed challenge to make its way through the courts.
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