Under the visionary leadership of Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, the state of Colorado hopes to connect 99% of households to high-speed internet by 2027. This is just one of the initiatives in a larger plan to lead by example in establishing sustainable practices for addressing health care inequity. As Lt. Governor Primavera moves into her second term, she is prioritizing more equitable legislation surrounding housing, healthcare and education.

As the Covid-19 pandemic brought to light, many households have been negatively impacted by increasingly expensive healthcare and lack of access to digital services. In order to prevent financial toxicity, a scenario in which individuals are bankrupted by medical bills, Primavera and a team of dedicated professionals have established several innovative programs. One such program is the In Full Health Initiative, which provides resources and opportunities for organizations to connect, educate, and develop solutions to problems plaguing the healthcare system. Learning from each other in a community where many diverse voices are represented is the best way to advance equitable health innovations.

Director of the Office of eHealth Innovation Stephanie Pugliese also joins the conversation. The goals of the eHealth Commission are to make information more accessible through coordinated health systems and expanding the inclusivity of health solutions. One of the first steps for achieving equity is through data collection. Colorado recently passed a bill which requires the Health Department to gather demographic data. This information helps establish a collective picture of the challenges people continue to face in receiving access to quality healthcare and health education services across the state. Working together to address growing needs in ever-changing times makes Colorado a national model for prioritizing equal access to a universal human right.

Main Topics

• Lt. Governor’s priorities and goals for her second term (01:45)
• Ground-breaking Medical-Financial Partnership Program (04:13)
• Legislation to support equitable health care for people in Colorado (06:45)
• Stephanie shares updates on efforts to increase health equity (09:35)
• Colorado’s In Full Health Initiative (13:30)
• Priorities for Office of eHealth Innovation (15:30)
• How to bring health goals into reality (17:35)
• Policies that will help determine where to focus health equity efforts (19:35)

Episode Links

• oehi.colorado.gov

Connect with Lt. Governor Primavera:

https://ltgovernor.colorado.gov

https://twitter.com/LtGovofCO

https://www.instagram.com/ltgovofco

https://www.facebook.com/LtGovofCO/

Connect with KP:

linkedin.com/in/kaakpema-kp-yelpaala-379b269/

https://twitter.com/inonhealth

inonhealth.com/podcast

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