House District 3
As your former representative from Colorado House District 3 I worked hard to:
Please take a few minutes to explore this website for information about my work at the capitol from 2003 - March 2009 and how I served the needs and interests of my constituents in House District 3.
Most Recent Update:
Congratulations to Representative-elect Daniel Kagan, and to all the candidates for the House District 3 vacancy. I am so proud of the cooperative spirit of the vacancy campaign and gratified at the talent of all the candidates.
Representative-elect Kagan's swearing-in will be scheduled before the House comes to order Monday morning.
It has been my honor to serve House District 3, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Big news, both sad and exciting
Submitted by annemcgihon on Tue, 03/17/2009 - 7:38pm.It is with very mixed emotions that I am announcing my resignation as representative of House District 3, effective March 27. I especially want to thank all of the fabulous precinct committee people in my district. I tried to reach all of you yesterday to tell you the news myself. Thank you for giving me the privilege to serve our wonderful district.
I have rejoined the law firm of Akerman Senterfitt, and will work in the firm’s Government Affairs and Public Policy group, assisting clients locally and nationally from Akerman's offices in Denver and Washington D.C. Since I will be in Washington about half the time, it will be impossible for me to continue as a Representative.
I’m very proud of what we have accomplished, especially in the field of health care. The creation of the 208 Commission provided us with a clear and reliable picture of alternative models of health care reform, with the costs and benefits of each model calculated by objective experts in the field.
We also modernized public health, and we made significant progress on reforming the delivery of behavioral health. I am proud of the significant progress we are making in providing access to quality, affordable health care for many Coloradans.
I will not be abandoning the cause for which I have passionately worked in the General Assembly, but will pursue it on the national level.
Akerman Senterfitt is the firm I joined right after leaving law school. I worked there for several years, in the field of banking law, before joining a Washington, D.C. firm and subsequently moving to Denver. I have lived in Denver for the past 20 years and am devoted to the city and the State of Colorado.
Again, it has been my privilege to serve the residents of House District 3. I’m sad to be leaving the General Assembly and the many admirable colleagues with whom I’ve worked.
Thank you,
Anne
We are more than halfway through the session, with the second half promising to be just as exciting as the first.
Yesterday was among the most intense days we’ve had in the House, as my oil and gas rules bill (HB 1292) endured a lengthy and contested debate. As sponsor of the bill, I helped ensure that all proponents who wanted to speak stayed on message.
For just under 5 hours the debate raged. Republicans offered numerous amendments to the bill. They argued that the bill would hurt the oil and gas industry, which is already ailing due to stringent rules imposed on it.
What's in the Stimulus for Health Care?
Submitted by annemcgihon on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 11:16pm.I have been asked by many people today about what is in the compromise stimulus bill for health care. I m happy to note that COBRA payments and Electronic Medical Records are still included. Here is a summary from Kaiser Daily Health report:
House and Senate negotiators on Wednesday reached a tentative compromise on a $789.5 billion economic stimulus package that includes some concessions on health care, "clearing the way" for final passage of the package by the end of the week, the New York Times reports (Herszenhorn/Hulse, New York Times, 2/12). According to the Washington Post, "despite the acknowledgement of ceding some ground," President Obama "secured many of his biggest priorities in the legislation, including the longer-term health care and energy investments that the administration views as a down payment on broader reforms" (Murray/Kane, Washington Post, 2/12). Among other provisions, the compromise stimulus package would:
This week I attended a conference on the Dutch and German health care systems. I learned how those nations’ health insurers compete for business, and yet only 1.5% of Dutch citizens remain uninsured. I learned valuable lessons to apply in my effort to see all Coloradoans get affordable quality health care.
Here in Colorado, a useful guide to health care issues and programs has just been published. It’s called The 2009 Colorado Health Care Resource Book, and you can download it by clicking on this link:
Coffee & Chat with Rep. McGihon
Submitted by annemcgihon on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 10:00pm.Have you wondered what Colorado’s legislature is up to? Maybe you would simply like to say “hello.” If so, we need to get together and chat at Kaladi Brothers! Here are the details:
Date: February 12, 2009
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Place:
Kaladi Brothers
1730 E. Evans Avenue
Denver, CO 80210
Please come, bring your ideas and your friends. I look forward to seeing you!
Healthcare in the Federal Stimulus
Submitted by annemcgihon on Fri, 01/23/2009 - 3:14pm.Many of you have asked how the federal government can help Colorado with health care in the proposed two-year $825 billion stimulus package. Here are some recent developments:
Yesterday, several Congressional committees tackled this subject by including additional funds for Medicaid, $20 billion for health care information technology, and federal subsidies for health insurance premiums under COBRA, among other provisions. Earlier provisions would prevent reductions in Medicaid reimbursements to hospices, long-term care facilities and medical students.
Under the stimulus package, the federal government would subsidize 65% of COBRA premiums for as long as 12 months. Recently unemployed workers 55 and older -- or those with at least 10 years of tenure at their jobs -- could continue to receive health insurance through COBRA. They could receive COBRA benefits until they find a new job that offers coverage or until they turn 65, when they can enroll in Medicare.
Anne on KCFR - Colorado Matters Radio, January 5, 2009
Submitted by annemcgihon on Thu, 01/22/2009 - 10:00pm.An audio recording from the KCFR website:
The Session Ahead: Health Care
The legislature convenes Wednesday. Host Ryan Warner discusses health care priorities with Rep. Spencer Swalm, a Centennial Republican, and Democratic Rep. Anne McGihon of Denver.