November 13, 2024
Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center
2024 Colorado State of Reform Health Policy Conference
RegisterConference Overview
The 2024 Colorado State of Reform Health Policy Conference will once again take place in-person at the Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center on November 13th, 2024!
The State of Reform conference is focused on bridging the gap between health policy and political reality. Too often, those with good ideas for reforming healthcare don’t have a solid understanding of how the legislative process works. Those who understand politics don’t always comprehend the intricacies of the healthcare system. If you are interested in understanding what occurs at the nexus of healthcare and politics, then this is the conference for you!
Join us at the Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center on November 13th to discuss the most important healthcare activity taking place in Colorado. If you have any questions or speaker suggestions, please feel free to drop us a line! We’d love to hear from you.
Topical Agenda
Here is our 2024 Colorado State of Reform Health Policy Conference Topical Agenda! This represents input from hours of conversations with our Advisory Panel and stakeholders across the spectrum of Colorado healthcare over the last number of months.
If you have suggestions for speakers, please feel free to drop us a line. We would love to hear your thoughts on this! If you have not already registered, you can do so here.
Please note that all agenda times are local.
Registration & Networking Breakfast
Opening Keynote
Dwinita Mosby Tyler, PhD: Chief Catalyst, The Equity Project
Using Data to Coordinate Care Across Populations
The New Normal? Addressing Colorado’s Growing Uninsured Rate
Colorado’s Work to Close Maternal Health Disparities
Evaluating Colorado’s Recent Behavioral Health Reforms
Building & Retaining Colorado’s Health Workforce
Sustaining & Building Primary Care in Colorado
Networking Lunch
Increasing Access to Care for Rural Communities
Considerations for Colorado’s Upcoming Budget
Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in Colorado
Collaborative Visioning: Lawmakers Discuss Outlook for Health Policy
Closing Keynote
Donna Lynne, DrPH: Chief Executive Officer, Denver Health
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See Sponorship DetailsRegistration & Networking Breakfast
The Networking Breakfast will take place before the start of the conference to allow attendees to grab light refreshments and connect with their fellow colleagues before we kick things off for the day.
Opening Keynote
With health equity being a critical through-line for all the topics on the day’s agenda, we’re beginning the day with a keynote featuring Dr. Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Chief Catalyst at the Equity Project. Dr. Mosby Tyler will discuss the work to bridge health equity gaps in Colorado and set the tone for the day’s discussions by grounding the work to improve state healthcare in equity.
Dwinita Mosby Tyler, PhD: Chief Catalyst, The Equity Project
Using Data to Coordinate Care Across Populations
Colorado is embarking on an exciting move towards creating a statewide exchange of social data related to housing, food security, and more. Join this panel as they discuss the growing significance of health information exchange and how health-related social needs (HRSNs) data can support patient care. This panel will dive into how providers can connect with communities to gather HRSN information and the infrastructure needed to support these changes.
The New Normal? Addressing Colorado’s Growing Uninsured Rate
Healthcare experts in Colorado are concerned as the state faces the worst uninsured rate in years in the aftermath of Medicaid redeterminations. Panelists will discuss the concern about the fiscal cliff looming as ARPA funding dwindles. They will also discuss some promising current efforts to maximize private and public healthcare coverage in the state, including the newly implemented Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrant children and pregnant women.
Colorado’s Work to Close Maternal Health Disparities
Colorado is working on addressing several issues related to women’s health. Hear from this panel about state efforts to decrease maternal mortality and increase access to doulas for pregnant patients. Learn about how these disparities vary based on whether a patient is in rural or urban Colorado. Panelists will also discuss the state’s recent move to cover immigrant pregnant women and children.
Evaluating Colorado's Recent Behavioral Health Reforms
Colorado’s behavioral health system has undergone some major changes over the past couple of years. Panelists will discuss the intent and impact of recent reforms, patients’ experiences with the behavioral health system in recent years, and promising upstream solutions for improving behavioral health heading into the future. Speakers will also discuss the work to improve youth mental health and address substance use disorder (SUD), including the expanded availability of SUD treatments.
Building & Retaining Colorado’s Health Workforce
Join this panel as they discuss the challenges facing Colorado’s health workforce. Hear from experts about what strategies are being used to recruit and retain workers in healthcare, public health, long-term care and more. This conversation will take a holistic view of the entire healthcare field while also discussing sector–specific issues in the workforce.
Sustaining & Building Primary Care in Colorado
As Colorado faces increasing uninsured rates, healthcare experts are considering what needs to be done to maintain primary care network sustainability. Join this panel as they discuss what policy makers should consider when addressing primary care sustainability. Hear panelists discuss the impact that private equity is having on primary care.
Networking Lunch
Increasing Access to Care for Rural Communities
Rural communities are struggling to retain local healthcare providers. Join this panel of experts as they discuss rural hospitals closures and the rise in maternity care deserts. Hear about how reimbursement rates, uninsured rates, and the lack of local housing are contributing to the issue. Join a robust conversation about potential policy solutions to the issue.
Considerations for Colorado’s Upcoming Budget
Recent state budget forecasts have indicated that Colorado legislators will either be maintaining current budget levels or even cutting the healthcare budget. Join this panel of experts as they discuss what they expect from the upcoming state budget. Hear how a reduced budget may impact insurance/provider rates, and how policymakers could approach the idea of doing more with less money.
Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in Colorado
Colorado is considering several approaches to addressing health-related social needs (HRSNs). Join this group of experts as they discuss opportunities available under the 1115 waiver, including ways to address jail reentry services, transportation issues and housing needs.
Collaborative Visioning: Lawmakers Discuss Outlook for Health Policy
More information coming soon!
Closing Keynote
We’re closing the day with a valuable keynote from Dr. Donna Lynne, Chief Executive Officer of Denver Health. Join us as we hear Dr. Lynne’s remarks on Denver Health’s work to grow financial support for safety net hospitals in Colorado, provide safe housing for patients in need, and improve health equity.
Donna Lynne, DrPH: Chief Executive Officer, Denver Health