New Democrat Update - August 2000
OWENS RESPONDS TO NDC’S DEMANDS
At a July 31 news conference, State Reps. Dan Grossman, Bob Hagedorn and other legislators in the New Democrat Caucus (NDC) demanded that Governor Owens fix the Children's Health Plan Plus (CHP+) program. The initiative is a federal-state partnership that provides health care coverage to children in low-wage working families who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough for private insurance.
Owens immediately responded by putting a hold on his administration's policy to assign collection agencies to parents behind in their premium payments, and creating an internal administration task force to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the program.
New Democrats are focusing on this issue because, many now-working parents may go back on welfare for a very understandable reason - get health coverage for their children. With robust state revenues and funding from the federal government, it is much more fiscally responsible to invest in these children now, rather than waiting for them to get seriously sick and accessing much more expensive emergency room services.
“Working families who are barely making ends meet should not be encouraged to go back on public assistance so that their children can get adequate health care coverage,” stated Grossman. “Now is no time to penalize the very families who are working hard to stay off welfare. We must make work pay for all low-income working families - those leaving public assistance as well as those staying off. Making work pay more than welfare is reform's best friend.”
Due to the state's fear that more eligible families will sign up for Medicaid, almost two-thirds of those eligible have not been enrolled in CHP+, resulting in a possible loss of $19 million in federal help. The state CHP+ has among the highest premiums in the country and an unbelievably bureaucratic, cumbersome and confusing application process. Working Coloradans are being needlessly shuffled between Medicaid and CHP+, sometimes having to change health care providers and deal with different eligibility criteria, income ceilings, time limits and copayments.
Combined with the state's overly strict eligibility requirements, these factors are causing too many children to fall though the huge crack between Medicaid and private health insurance. The NDC has demanded implementation of the following reforms:
Through Medicaid and CHP+, provide basic child health care as part of a seamless, comprehensive employment system for all low-wage workers. Income eligibility thresholds should be raised to cover more families and ensure fairness between those on welfare and those working. Make premiums affordable and understandable. Families should contribute to the cost of the child's health care but current premiums amount to an empty and deceptive promise. Community service should be required for families who cannot keep up with their payments.Tame the bureaucracy and make the system customer-centered. One set of seamless rules should be developed for all applicants of Medicaid and CHP+. New Democrats agree with Bill Lindsay, the Owens-appointed chairman of the policy board overseeing this program. CHP+’s problems are already well known - creating another task force will only slow down reform. We were hoping the Governor would show some leadership, roll up his sleeves, get in there and solve the problem.
As a result, we are watching very closely.
NEW DEMOCRATS ONLINE
Stay in constant touch with the New Democrat movement by becoming a regular visitor to the Colorado DLC’s brand new web site. The site showcases the New Democrat Caucus in the state legislature, many policy solutions to Colorado's problems, current and back editions of the New Democrat Update, local commentaries, New Democrats in the news, speeches, news releases, over 200 links to other policy/political sites, Colorado media and more. The site is constantly updated and many new features are planned in the near future.
The national DLC and its think tank - the Progressive Policy Institute - have also unveiled new web sites. Both are loaded with great features like an extensive library of reports, the New Dem Daily - a daily and weekly commentary, Idea of the Week, New Democrat of the Week, The New Democrat magazine, Blueprint, news on upcoming events and much, much more. The search function is very useful - type in a keyword and get all the information you need on the issue.
New Democrats here and around the country will be more connected and informed than ever.
LEADING IN THE NEW ECONOMY
Two Denver metro mayors and five Colorado legislators joined over 200 other New Democrat state/local elected officials and community leaders at the DLC's 4th annual National Conversation earlier this month in Baltimore, Maryland. This year's conversation focused on how to make the forces propelling the New Economy work for all Americans.
After Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley kicked off the event, DLC President & CEO Al From addressed the future of the New Democrat movement. Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend then keynoted the first day with an impressive speech on how states must strategize for the New Economy. Panel discussions on Preparing People and Communities, Preserving Quality of Life and Governing in the New Economy finished a productive day.
The second day featured breakout sessions on revolutionizing government through information technology, health care, youth politics, community crime fighting, school choice, job training reform, online privacy, state economic development, eliminating racial profiling, trade politics/policy, cyber politics, traffic congestion and the fight between New Democrats and compassionate conservatives.
State Rep. Bob Hagedorn and State Sen. Stan Matsunaka led discussions on smart growth and teacher quality, respectively. Other Colorado elected officials participating included State Representatives Fran Coleman, Abel Tapia and Suzanne Williams, along with Glendale Mayor Joe Rice.
After a panel discussion featuring mayors from around the country, Denver Mayor Wellington Webb introduced Vice President Al Gore who delivered a rousing address, saying "When he was asked why Texas was suddenly facing such a budget shortfall, Governor Bush told the Dallas Morning News, 'I hope I'm not here to have to deal with it,' " Gore said, prompting groans in the audience. "That was my reaction when I heard it," Gore quipped. "You can't duck responsibility and expect a new opportunity."
Apparently, only New Democrats truly understand the meaning of our core values - opportunity and responsibility.
Transcripts are available. Thanks go to all attending Coloradans for taking time out of their busy schedules and the national DLC for a job well done.