The Colorado Health Foundation

The Colorado Health Foundation
Founded 1995
Type Nonprofit
Location
  • Denver, Colorado
Area served
 Colorado
Endowment $2.2 billion
Mission To improve the health and health care of Coloradans by increasing access to quality health care and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices
Website www.coloradohealth.org, www.coloradokaleidoscope.org, www.coloradohealthreportcard.org, www.facebook.com/coloradohealth, http://twitter.com/cohealthfdn
Formerly called
 HealthOne Alliance Colorado

The Colorado Health Foundation is one of the largest health-focused foundations in the country[1] providing grants to nonprofits that focus on encouraging healthy living. The foundation works to increase the number of Coloradans with health insurance[2] and increase accessibility to quality healthcare. In addition to providing grants,[3] the foundation partners with nonprofits, businesses, and government officials to address health issues in Colorado and provides graduate medical education to increase the health care workforce. The foundation has assets of $2.2 billion.[4]

History

HCA-HealthONE LLC began in 1995 as a joint venture between various affiliates of HCA and Denver's HealthOne hospitals. Until the recent HealthONE sale, the purpose and intent of the original joint venture was to strengthen and grow the HealthONE hospitals, while maintaining an ongoing commitment to community benefit and charity care.

In 1999, HealthONE assumed the trade name of HealthONE Alliance and in 2006, the HealthONE Alliance changed its name to the Colorado Health Foundation to reflect its work across the state[5] and redefine its mission to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation.

In 2002, the Rose Family Medicine Residency joins the HealthONE Alliance. <http://www.coloradohealth.org/ourstory.aspx> In 2006, HealthONE Alliance changes its name to the Colorado Health Foundation to reflect its work across the state and adopts the goal of making Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. In addition to operating five graduate medical education (GME) residency programs and three community programs, the Colorado Health Foundation awards $20.4 million in grants <http://www.coloradohealth.org/ourstory.aspx> In 2007, the Colorado Health Foundation awards $29.6 million in grants, while continuing to operate five GME residency programs and three community programs. <http://www.coloradohealth.org/ourstory.aspx> In 2008, embracing its growing grantmaking role, the Colorado Health Foundation invests more than $45 million in nonprofit organizations and graduate medical education. The Foundation also transfers operation of the Johnson Adult Day Program to Total Community Options – one of several programs the Foundation spun off or discontinued as its grantmaking activities grew <http://www.coloradohealth.org/ourstory.aspx> In 2009, the Colorado Health Foundation more than doubles its community investment from 2008 to $94 million. <http://www.coloradohealth.org/ourstory.aspx>

On Oct. 13, 2011, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers approved the sale of the foundation's 40 percent equity stake in Denver-area's HCA-HealthONE LLC health care system for $1.45 billion.[6] The foundation will continue to partner with HealthONE in managing five Denver-area physician-training residency programs.

The agreement establishes a HealthONE community board of trustees, which will oversee major provisions of the transaction.[7]

Grants Overview And Foundation in Action

In 2012, the Colorado Health Foundation awarded nearly $86 million in grants and contributions to improve health and health care in Colorado as outlined in the Foundation's annual report, “Grants by Goal” <http://www.coloradohealth.org/finances.aspx>

Funding Areas of Focus

The foundation provides funding to improve the following areas: healthy schools; adequate, affordable insurance coverage; health care delivery; and enhance health information technology. The foundation also works to build the health care professionals workforce; optimize health coverage in public programs; and promote culture change for healthy communities.

The Foundation has a grants research tool that allows visitors to search all grants given since January 2007 through the present <http://www.coloradohealth.org/Map/Grants_Search.aspx?id=274>

In November 2010, the foundation announced it was investing $6.5 million to the Colorado Health Service Corps to repay student loans for doctors and other primary care health professionals in return for providing care in the state's most underserved areas.[8]

Healthy Places is a five-year, $4.5 million initiative to support the development of healthy communities through a community-led panel process. The project aims to reduce obesity by creating environments that encourage more physical activity amongst its inhabitants.

In August 2013, the Foundation invested $7.1 million in the public-private project, called the Colorado Fresh Food Financing Fund. The money will help retailers build and open grocery stores in food deserts, especially in low-income neighborhoods where fast-food restaurants outnumber grocery stores. <http://blogs.denverpost.com/health/tag/colorado-fresh-food-financing-fund/> <http://www.coloradohealth.org/CO4F/>

In January 2013, the Foundation supported the state’s expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. <http://finance.yahoo.com/news/colorado-health-foundation-supports-medicaid-233200816.html> and produced its own report in February 2013 showing the economic impact of Medicaid expansion to Colorado <: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/13/co-health-medicaid-expan-idUSnBw8DcVC4a+12c+BSW20130213>

The investment to the CHSC, administered by the Primary Care Office of the Colorado Department of Health & Environment(CDPHE), is expected to fund more than 48 physicians, nurses, physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists and behavioral health providers during the next three years (from 2011 through 2013). These professionals each make a three-year commitment to practice in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), rural health clinic or other safety net facility in a rural or underserved urban community. The CHSC supports clinics in underserved areas that provide care to uninsured and underinsured patients.

Other Major Grantees include:[9]

Senior Management

Executive Team

Board of Directors

The foundation’s Board of Directors[23] is made up of 23 members and includes representatives from the business and health care sectors.

Funding Areas of Focus

The foundation provides funding to improve the following areas: healthy schools; adequate, affordable insurance coverage; health care delivery; and enhance health information technology. The foundation also works to build the health care professionals workforce; optimize health coverage in public programs; and promote culture change for healthy communities.

Grant Focus Areas

Community Engagement

The Colorado Health Foundation emphasizes community engagement in health and health care issues through trusted, high-quality information:

The Colorado Health Report Card

Since 2006, the Colorado Health Foundation has published an annual report titled the Colorado Health Report Card providing a benchmark for measuring progress on the state's most pressing health issue.[24]

In 2012, the Colorado Health Report Card stated that the overall grade for Healthy Beginnings (an indicator that measures prenatal care for babies and their mothers) remained unchanged at a C score. In addition, the state's grade for Healthy Children fell from a C- to a D+. Meanwhile, the grades for Healthy Adolescents, Healthy Adults, Healthy Aging improved only slightly between 2011 and 2012.[25]

In addition, the 2012 Colorado Health Report Card began asking the question, "What if we were No. 1?", illustrating what it would mean if Colorado were to achieve the top ranking in each particular indicator. Data found that 2,100 more babies would be born at a healthy weight, 123,400 more children would have access to a medical home, 32,600 fewer high school students would smoke cigarettes, 376,800 fewer adults would binge drink, and 16,200 more older adults would have all of their recommended immunizations.[26]

The 2011 Colorado Health Report Card revealed that the state lagged behind other states in childhood obesity, prenatal care, dental care for children and other factors that impact physical and economic health. From 2009 to 2011, the overall grade for Healthy Beginnings (an indicator that measures prenatal care for babies and their mothers) remained unchanged at a C score. In 2011, the state's grade for Healthy Children moved from a D+ to a marginally better C-. At the same time, grades for Healthy Adolescents and Healthy Adults remained at B- and B respectively. Meanwhile, the grade for Healthy Aging (which monitors how Colorado's older adults compare with peers in other states) fell from an A- in 2010 to a B in 2011.[27]

Colorado Kaleidoscope: Stories of a State’s Health

The Foundation features a statewide campaign and partner website showcasing video and written narratives from its grantees and the people they serve in the community.[28]

Health Elevations

The Foundation produces a quarterly health and health care information journal, Health Elevations, and distributes a hard copy version to community stakeholders throughout Colorado.

The Colorado Health Symposium

Each year the Foundation hosts the Colorado Health Symposium. The annual event, formerly called the Dorsey Hughes Symposium,[29] has attracted leaders in health care policy and reform efforts to share ideas, debate policy and interact with the health care industry, government, business, academia and the nonprofit sector.

The in-person conference also offers live-streaming of certain sessions for those unable to physically attend.[30]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.tgci.com/funding/top.asp?statename=Colorado&statecode=CO
  2. ↑ http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13390275
  3. ↑ http://www.tgci.com/funding/top.asp?statename=Colorado&statecode=CO
  4. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/finances.aspx
  5. ↑ http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_4110069
  6. ↑ http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/press/news/2011/10/13/attorney_general_approves_colorado_health_foundation%E2%80%99s_sale_hospital_assets_hc
  7. ↑ http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/press/news/2011/10/13/attorney_general_approves_colorado_health_foundation%E2%80%99s_sale_hospital_assets_hc
  8. ↑ http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/ci_17362221
  9. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/Map/Grants_Search.aspx?id=274
  10. ↑ http://www.coloradohealthonline.org/cbgh/index.cfm/programs/bte/
  11. ↑ http://www.denverhealthfoundation.org/
  12. ↑ http://www.mhcd.org/
  13. ↑ http://www.highpointacademy.net/
  14. ↑ http://www.kempe.org/
  15. ↑ http://www.psdschools.org/
  16. ↑ http://www.livewellcolorado.org/
  17. ↑ http://www.corhio.org/
  18. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=2098
  19. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=5331
  20. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/yellow.aspx?id=6419
  21. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=4439
  22. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=2106
  23. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/board.aspx
  24. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/yellow.aspx?id=5734
  25. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/ReportCard/2012/subdefault.aspx?id=6032
  26. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/ReportCard/2012/subdefault.aspx?id=6032
  27. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/yellow.aspx?id=5734
  28. ↑ http://www.coloradokaleidoscope.org/
  29. ↑ http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/07/23/daily56.html?page=2
  30. ↑ http://www.coloradohealth.org/yellow.aspx?id=6396

External links