Legislative Efforts - Centura Health

Centura Health is the largest health care system in Colorado with a family of entities united by a common mission and deep tradition of providing expert, compassionate care to our communities. We touch more neighborhoods and communities than any other health care provider in the state.

Our leaders are experts in their respective fields and offer the latest in medical advances, technology and equipment. Our urban, rural and mountain entities enable Centura Health to provide state-of-the-art, cutting edge services to the entire state from birth, to family care, to senior living and home and hospice care. This breadth of coverage is guided by our mission, vision and values and allows us to offer a strong voice at the state, regional and local levels. We seek to improve the health of Coloradans in our state while working towards affordable, accessible and coordinated care for all.

Centura Health's advocacy and legislative efforts are led by Pam Nicholson, senior vice president of strategic integration. She is responsible for developing health care policy positions that represent Centura's key advocacy priorities, strategic goals and mission. The goals of these efforts are to promote community wellness and accessible and affordable health care for all Coloradans.

2009 Advocacy Key Priorities:

Health Care Reform - we will advocate for health care reform that will provide coverage for all and be paid for by all, keep people well, improve quality, create state-of-the-art information systems, and ensure that care is affordable.

Physician Ownership in Hospitals - We will support physician ownership in hospitals as long as certain criteria are met, such as: limiting physician ownership to 2 percent per physician with a total physician ownership limited to 40 percent, have a majority owner that is licensed as a general hospital, and be located on the campus of a general hospital.

Charitable Purpose - We will continue to preserve and promote the charitable purpose and tax-exempt status of nonprofit, religious health care.

Strengthening the Workplace - We will support workforce initiatives which strengthen our workforce through recruiting, training and retaining programs.

Fair Payment to Providers & Programs - We will advocate for Medicare and Medicaid payments that cover costs for our services at all of our entities. We will oppose reimbursement reductions.

Support Colorado's Trauma System - We will support legislation to enhance and expand the existing trauma program.