2019
2019 POLICY
POLICY AND
AND ADVOCACY
ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
PRIORITIES
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO
What to Expect in 2019
After the 2018 midterm elections, the makeup of the state and
federal legislature has shifted in ways that will influence how
public policy moves forward. This document outlines the priorities
Children’s Hospital Colorado will focus on in 2019, in Colorado and
in Washington, D.C., through legislative and regulatory policy, and
across all our advocacy work.
In Colorado, Democrats gained control of the state Senate and kept control of the state House.
Voters elected Democrat Jared Polis as the new governor, and Democrats also won the statewide
offices of Attorney General, State Treasurer and Secretary of State. At the federal level, control of
Congress is now split. While Democrats gained control of the U.S. House, Republicans added to their
majority in the U.S. Senate.
Our top priorities in 2019 are to make the behavioral health system more accountable for Colorado’s
kids, protect and expand healthcare coverage and access for all children, prohibit e-cigarette use in
public places, advance healthy eating and active living and grow the ranks of advocates who speak
up for child health.
These priorities were selected using a combination of the following criteria:
1. The policy or advocacy activity falls within a priority area determined by the hospital’s
Community Health Needs Assessment—early childhood, behavioral health, healthy eating and
active living, respiratory health, injury prevention—or the activity is related to our ongoing
priority areas of coverage and access, workforce development or enhancing clinical operations.
2. The policy or advocacy activity will make a meaningful difference for kids’ health.
3. Children’s Colorado has an opportunity to proactively pursue the activity by serving as either the
lead organization or a key member of the coalition, with a reasonable chance of success.
4. It’s a conversation that would benefit from Children’s Colorado’s unique voice as an advocate and
a healthcare provider for children.
The year ahead has many changes in store at the state and federal level. We look forward to
continuing our mission of improving the health of children by building on new and existing
partnerships, engaging our team members, activating our advocacy network and giving a voice to
Colorado kids and families.
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