I was raised in a household that valued democracy, and I was always interested in following what was going on in society and the world. Voting was not just a responsibility, but a privilege I honored.
In 2003, I had to deal with the scourge of private health insurance systems that sought to get rid of me, as our family was seen as an extreme loss to their bottom lines. I became an activist, not only for our family's position and welfare, but for all those in similar circumstances. I could see all the parallels and how policy had failed to protect the most vulnerable of our citizens.
I began to get involved in health policy groups in 2006, first by sharing my personal story, but soon through engagement and activism through various opportunities.
2006: Founding Member, Business Coalition for Health Care Reform (national)
2007: Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform (208 Commission)
Submitted a comprehensive statewide health reform proposal to the Commission for evaluation (one of 28 comprehensive proposals submitted, and one of 7 that were fundamentally universal-coverage in nature)
My proposal was not chosen for modeling by the commission, but one virtually identical to mine was -- and modeling showed that this proposal would have saved $1.4 Billion per year in health care costs in year one and more every year thereafter, while covering every resident in the state.
Member, Business Task Force to the 208 Commission: During the work of the 208 Commission, they established four working groups to expand expertise in several areas, and I was selected as a member of the Business Task Force.
The final report of the 208 Commission was delivered to the governor and Legislature in January, 2008.
2008: Candidate, Colorado Senate District 27
Increased percentage of vote over prior elections to 42% against an incumbent in an "unwinnable" district (prior to redistricting)
2010 - present: Colorado All Payer Claims Database Advisory Committee
Appointed to the Colorado APCD as a founding committee member
Elected as Chair in 2022
2011 - 2019: Colorado Health Insurance Exchange Board (CO SB11-200)
Appointed as a founding Board Member to the Colorado Health Insurance Exchange Board
Serve two full four-year terms before being term limited
Led the drafting and publishing of the Board's Articles of Governance (Bylaws)
2012: Delegate, Democratic National Convention (Charlotte, NC)
2016: Platform Committee
Arapahoe County Platform Committee, Chair
State CDP Platform Committee, Lead on Health Care section
2018: Platform Committee
Arapahoe County Platform Committee, Chair
State CDP Platform Committee, Lead on Health Care section
2020: Platform Committee
Arapahoe County Platform Committee, Chair
State CDP Platform Committee, Lead on Health Care section
2022 - present: member, Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Advisory Council
Advisory Council established per CO SB21-175 to provide support to the Prescription Drug Affordability Board established in the same bill