Progressive Change for our Community and our Nation

ArapaHOPE community team has formed a Legislative Action Committee.  This committee is a team of our neighbors and friends that care enough about the issues that take a little bit of their time to research upcoming pieces of legislation.  During the Colorado legislative session, periodic summaries will be released to keep our members informed and in the know on upcoming legislation.  ACT's position on the featured legislation will be listed also.  If you subscribe to our newsletter, you'll also be informed of any action determined by our committee to help push forward our stated position.  This could mean occasional phone calls or emails to key legislators during key times during the process.

ACT Legislative Update - Be an Informed Citizen!

Legislative Update: April 11, 2011

Physical Activity in Schools - HB 11-1069 by Massey (R), Fields (D) and Aguilar (D) would require all elementary schools to provide 150 minutes of physical activity (NOT physical education) each school week. We feel that physical activity is critical for our children’s health and significantly improves academic learning, and that recesses should not be abdicated to sedentary learning.

Status: House and Senate have adopted Conference Committee amendments..

ACT Position – Actively Support.

CoOp Bill - SB 11-168  SB 11-168 by Aguilar (D), Kefalas (D) would establish a non-profit, member-owned statewide Health Coop in Colorado which would be financed by a universal tax and which would distribute per member/per month payments to various integrated health systems for comprehensive services. These IHS’s would be designed around Medical Home concepts, and they would have the power to distribute payments to their providers according to their own determination. This bill would authorize a consultant to design such a system, which would then have to be approved 1) by the Colorado General Assembly and 2) voters.

Status: Senate Second Reading Laid Over Daily.

ACT Position - Monitor and engage sponsors for now.

Civil Rights Enforcement Act of 2011 – SB 072 by Carroll (D) would provide meaningful legal remedies for violations of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), including remedies for workers who have experienced discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation, and those seeking protection because of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking in the workplace.

Status: Killed in House State, Veterans and Military Affiars committee on party line vote.

ACT Position-Actively support.

Colorado Civil Union Act - SB 172 by Steadman (D) and Farrandino (D) authorizes any two unmarried adults, regardless of gender, to enter into a civil union. The Act provides specified legal benefits, protections and responsibilities to parties to a civil union.

Status: Killed in House Judiciary committee on party line vote.

ACT Position-Actively support.

Health Exchange Bill SB 200 by Boyd (D). State development of a Health Insurance Exchange is required by PPACA (Affordable Care Act) by January 2013 OR the federal HHS will step in and do it. The exchange would perform five basic services: (1) Certify that health plans meet minimum benefits standards, (2) Facilitate the purchase of certified plans by qualified individuals and employers, (3) Assist consumers in evaluating and enrolling in plans, (4) Help eligible individuals and small businesses access premium and cost sharing subsidies, (5) Streamline access to subsidized health insurance programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, or a plan subsidized through the Exchange. In addition, the bill would establish the board for governing the Colorado Health Insurance Exchange.

Status: Senate Health and Human Services Committee referred to Legislative Council.

ACT Position – Monitor and engage in process.