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Strengthening Colorado Community Health Centers Through Grassroots Advocacy

Strengthening Colorado Community Health Centers Through Grassroots Advocacy. Elizabeth Garbe Policy Analyst Colorado Community Health Network. Presentation Overview. Community Health Center Movement National State Local Grassroots Advocacy Legislative Priorities

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Strengthening Colorado Community Health Centers Through Grassroots Advocacy

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  1. Strengthening Colorado Community Health Centers ThroughGrassroots Advocacy Elizabeth Garbe Policy Analyst Colorado Community Health Network

  2. Presentation Overview • Community Health Center Movement • National State Local • Grassroots Advocacy • Legislative Priorities • How You Can Participate

  3. The Community Health Center (CHC) “Movement” • Created in 1965 by the Johnson Administration • Vision: • Communities will have accessible, affordable, and appropriate primary health care regardless of patients’ ability to pay • Community members will play a unique leadership role in the delivery of health care • Started with 8 CHCs – now more than 1,000

  4. The 5 Pillars of a Community Health Center • Serve all patients regardless of ability to pay for services • Located in high-need areas • Provide comprehensive primary health care • Governed by community boards • Mission-driven to provide health care to low-income, working families

  5. America’s Community Health Centers • There are more than 1,000 CHCs serving 3,600 communities in every state and territory of the United States • CHCs are the health care home for more than 15 million Americans • CHCs have been rated the most successful program of the US Department of Health & Human Services • President Bush has made CHCs a centerpiece of his national health care agenda

  6. (NACHC) • Represents Community Health Centers nationally • Provides a coordinated structure and united voice for Community Health Centers and state Primary Care Associations • Takes the lead on national issues affecting Community Health Centers

  7. Represents Community Health Centers statewide • Provides a coordinating structure and united voice for Community Health Centers • Takes the lead on state issues affecting Community Health Centers

  8. By the numbers for Colorado… • 14 Community Health Centers • 118 sites in 34 counties • Served nearly 400,000 patients in 54 of Colorado’s 64 counties • Provided 1.6 million patient visits in 2006

  9. Why we need YOU! • Any successful legislative advocacy must include: • Policy analysis and professional lobbying • Media and public relations • GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY

  10. What is Grassroots Advocacy? • You and Me advocating for change because government policy affects • Our lives, • Patients lives, and • The services we can provide to our community.

  11. What is Advocacy? • Asks something of others • Demands a change to benefit the lives of many • Creates a collective voice • Creates a space for public discussion • Finds solutions to problems

  12. Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport

  13. CCHN’s Legislative Priorities • Protect current services and resources. • Participate in health care reform efforts to increase access to comprehensive primary health care for all Coloradans. • Increase funding necessary to expand access to health care.

  14. State Funding IS Important to CHCs:Income Sources for Colorado Health Centers

  15. What This Means • State laws and regulations determine: • How a program is implemented. • How funds are dispersed. • Who can participate in programs. • Being a part of the future has to do with our efforts today.

  16. We Are Powerful! • Colorado’s Community Health Centers • Care for 1 out of 12 Coloradans • Employ over 2,600 Coloradans • Are located in almost every legislative district in Colorado

  17. We Are Powerful! • Legislators must be accountable to their constituents. • If they do not hear from their constituents we lose an opportunity to shape their position. • Just five calls from constituents can make an enormous difference in the way a legislator will vote on an issue.

  18. Proof of Success • SB06-44 – CICP Funding • E-mailed legislators • Called the Governor • Referendum C • Walked door to door • Put yard signs up • Educated family and friends • Voted • Amendment 35 • Walked door to door • Put yard signs up • Made calls • Educated family and friends • Voted

  19. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” ~Margaret Mead~

  20. How You Can Participate • Sign up to receive messages from CCHN. • Respond to Calls to Action. • Get to know your CHCs Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator. • VOTE!

  21. “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.~

  22. THANK YOU! GET ACTIVE!

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