During the interim each year I conduct a series of tours in the district to hear firsthand from constituents, businesses, schools and other organizations about any concerns or priorities they may have. This year we decided to mix it up a bit and do a health care tour.
Members of the Senate Minority Office kicking off my SD19 District Discovery Tour on Health care
UnitedHealth Group: We began our tour meeting with officials from
UnitedHealth Group. They serve clients and consumers through
two distinct platforms: United-Healthcare and Optum. We were familiar with UnitedHealthcare, the largest insurance carrier in Colorado, but we were less familiar with the other platform known as Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services. We discussed the services they provide, as well as two policy issues that may come up next session: 1.) prior authorization for prescription drugs, and 2.) the Guaranty Fund, which is like insurance for insurance companies.
First tour stop: Meeting with UnitedHealth Group at Panera Bread in Westminster
Avista Adventist Hospital/Centura Health: The next stop on our tour was the
Centura Health Emergency Center at Church Ranch. This is is a brand new facility attached to the existing Church Ranch Neighborhood Health Center and open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for treatment of emergent and urgent medical conditions. We were very curious to hear how the new laws around free-standing ERs were affecting them, and we were excited to learn they have already embraced the changes and implemented the new guidelines.
In addition to the ER, we toured and spoke with officials from their primary care office, pediatrics, Health Images, Centers for Occupational Medicine, and their Women's Health department. We were impressed by the integration of care at a single facility, and what they are doing to keep health care costs down.
Second tour stop: Centura Health Emergency Center at Church Ranch
Kaiser Permanente: Our last stop on the health care tour was to visit with Kaiser Permanente. They are the state's largest nonprofit, multispecialty provider of healthcare and coverage, and are best known for their integrated model of health care. We were impressed with their use of technology to increase patient satisfaction. We also toured their "Complementary Care" department that offers chiropractic, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. From a policy standpoint, they discussed provider reimbursement rates for medicaid and the challenges of being the largest (and virtually only) HMO in the state.
Third tour stop: Kaiser Permanente
Our takeaways: The main policy concern we heard at each facility and with all three stakeholders is the high cost of healthcare and the importance of increasing access. In addition, we discussed the value of safe and effective care that is patient-centered, as well as the usefulness of timely delivery of care (reducing wait times) and increasing efficiency. We are very grateful to the officials who took the time to educate us about their systems and we were amazed by the innovations in healthcare happening in SD 19!
District Discovery Tour: Health care!
Introducing Zen PAC
I am proud to have been elected to serve you in the Colorado State Senate, and I am extremely grateful for all the support you have given me throughout the years. Today, I ask that you support me in a different way, by making a contribution to my leadership PAC.
The purpose of a leadership PAC (political action committee) is to help support other candidates who are running for election.
Or, if you prefer to send a check, you can mail a contribution to:
Zen PAC
7725 Marshall Street
Arvada, CO 80003
Thank you for supporting me, and thank you for helping to create a Colorado that works for everyone!
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She serves on the Senate Transportation Committee, Education Committee, and Statutory Revision Committee. She is also a member the CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee, School Finance Interim Committee, Transportation Legislative Review Committee, and the Statewide Internet Portal Authority. She also served as Senator for SD19 in 2014.
Fracking Initiative 97 featured at next town hall
Please plan to join us for our monthly legislative town hall meeting on
Saturday, September 15 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St, Arvada. This month we will have spokespeople from Colorado Rising, the group that supports increasing oil & gas setbacks, and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association who opposes the measure, to provide a pro/con presentation on the fracking setback initiative 97. Each group will deliver a 30 minute presentation about why they do or do not support the initiative. This is an educational forum so that voters can learn the facts and cast an educated vote in November.
Updating constituents at monthly town hall meeting
Housing Resource Fair
A group of concerned citizens have begun working with the City of Arvada to address these issues and have organized the Arvada Housing Resource Fair. It will take place Saturday, September 29, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the APEX Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada. The event is free and open to everyone.
There will be information and resources about
Accessory Dwelling Units, "Aging in Place," financial assistance for low income households, the Essential Home Repairs program, home sharing, first-time home buyer assistance, rental assistance, and understanding fair housing requirements. I hope you'll mark your calendars now!
With Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent Jason Glass at Westminster's State of City Address
Tracking your Senator
In August I attended the
SIPA Board Meeting... I also attended the
Pinacol Foundation Scholars Dinner... I raced in the
Ralston House .5K Endurance Challenge... I attended the
Let's Go Colorado rally at the Capitol in support of the sales tax initiative to fund transportation... I met with officials from the
Colorado Department of Education... I toured the income-based Senior Homes at
Hidden Lake with the
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and the
Jefferson County Housing Authority... I spoke at the
Metro Community Provider Network annual meeting to kickoff
National Health Center Week... I spoke at the
Jefferson County Business Lobby executive meeting... I also toured the workforce housing units in the new
Westminster Downtown area along with CHFA... I met with
Jeffco Public Schools' Superintendent Jason Glass... I attended the
CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee meeting... We hosted our monthly town hall meeting where we had candidates for the
RTD Board of Directors... I attended the
Transportation Legislative Review Committee meeting at the Capitol... I met with officials from the
Jefferson County Office of Human Services... I attended the
Jeffco Public Schools Board of Directors meeting... I attended the
Arvada Fire Protection District Board of Directors meeting... I did my
District Discovery Tour with a healthcare focus and toured
Centura's Church Ranch Neighborhood Health Center and
Kaiser Permanente's Westminster facility... I also attended the
Westminster State of the City Address hosted by the
Westminster Chamber of Commerce... I attended the
City of Arvada Land Development Code Update Open House... And, I attended the
Women of Metro North Awards program hosted by the
Metro North Chamber of Commerce.
With fellow nominee and winner of Woman of Metro North award, Emma Pinter.
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Colorado Values scorecard
This year, several organizations banded together and scored legislators on some of Colorado's leading issues. Those organizations include: One Colorado, Conservation Colorado, Colorado Education Association, Colorado Sierra Club, Women's Lobby of Colorado, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, and Planned Parenthood Votes. They produced an overall Colorado Values Score for every state lawmaker, including myself. To view the scorecard and get more background on the individual bills, go to:
www.ColoradoValues.org.
Colorado Values scorecard for
Sen. Rachel Zenzinger 98%
Donations
Can you help us by making a contribution? While the campaign activity has concluded, we still need your help so that we may continue keeping in touch with constituents. Your contribution helps pay for events, direct mail, the website, newsletter, and other tools that make voters aware of what is happening down at the State Capitol. THANK YOU!
