Health-care commission can’t ‘solve’ crisis
A Rocky Mountain News article on Sept. 20 quoting me about the challenges facing the Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform may have created some erroneous impressions (“Health reform panel faces woes,” Sept. 20). I’d like to set the record straight.
When asked “Is the commission going to solve Colorado’s health-care crisis?” I explained that we are moving the ball forward, but that the commission itself cannot “solve” the crisis. Our charge is to develop recommendations for expanding access to coverage and decreasing costs. We are evaluating options to achieve those goals, and are confident that the report we present to legislators in January will provide the foundation for sound and effective policies.
But the health-care crisis is complex. It cannot be “solved” in a year.
After reviewing 31 reform proposals submitted to us and analyzing four of those in great detail, we are now developing a fifth proposal that will also undergo detailed analysis. And, we are about to embark on community meetings around the state to hear our fellow citizens’ views.
As I said in the article, this is the beginning of a journey. We are committed to ensuring that journey gets off to the right start.
William N. Lindsay III
Chair, Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform
Hey William,
How much are you being paid to find ways to take more money out of the pockets of us taxpayers?
Why don't you start with regulations and controls of the thieves in the Insurance companies and pharma companies.
Posted by Lisa on September 22, 2007 06:09 AMNo kidding, we know you don't have the answers. But that won't stop Ritter from having his next "feel-good" BlueRibbon commission du jour in order to cure the next "crisis" that exists only in the minds of those alarmists who live -large by scaring people.
Let's shut these "feel good" commissions down, save the taxpayers some money and figure out ways to make the Colorado economy more competitive and more attractive to new investment capital.
Posted by Hank on September 22, 2007 08:30 AM
what is so blue ribbon about your commission? is it that you all get a wonderful pay check for telling the government how they can screw up health care as they have everything else they touch?
why not recommend that they limit john edwards type law suits to a fixed amount? if you remove the stupid law suits then insurance rates will drop as they wont be paying millions out every other day.
impeach congress and save the USA
Posted by on September 22, 2007 08:41 AMWhat on Earth makes you think that the millions now being paid in attorneys' fees won't wind up in the pockets of the CEOs who hire the best lobbyists to enact the laws you propose? The insurance companies can afford much better lawyers than anyone else. If they lose, they're probably as guilty as sin.
Posted by Stan Broyles on September 22, 2007 11:43 AMThe 208 commission members are all volunteers. They're unpaid. They come from all over the governmental, medical provider, consumer and health care management map. They've invested thousands of hours and they're working toward a practical solution. If you're going to throw a bomb, first give us your idea for improving health care in Colorado.
Posted by jsugden on September 23, 2007 05:24 PMDear Mr. William N. Lindsay III
RE: Blue Ribbon Commission
We, the current generation of Americans, are ignoring, betraying and burying the ideals on which this great nation was built and on which our children's future depends.
I know you don' care, but if you would like someone to explain how a free society would solve today's health care crisis I would be willing and available.
If you and your commission deliberately ignore what makes healthy communities and families possible, what kind of leadership are your providing?