A state-mandated commission for Colorado health care system change on Monday held its first meeting to identify ways to expand health care coverage and reduce costs, the Denver Post reports. The 24-member commission -- which comprises consumers, business and industry experts appointed by Gov. Bill Owens (R), House Speaker Andrew Romanoff (D) and other state officials -- is mandated by a bill (SB 208) lawmakers passed earlier this year. The commission will analyze the state's health care system and submit recommendations to the state Legislature by this time next year. According to Anita Wesley, the commission's project coordinator, the meeting focused on administrative tasks such as determining bylaws, governance and future meeting dates. Members also provided overall thoughts about the Colorado health care system and discussed goals for the commission, according to the Post. Gov.-elect Bill Ritter (D) on his campaign Web site has said he intends to form a task force of "business owners and other stakeholders to devise strategies for small-business owners and their employees to access affordable health care." Ritter spokesperson Evan Dreyer said the governor might use the commission's findings rather than create a task force, adding that either way, Ritter "is intent upon following through with his campaign promise to craft a 'Colorado Health Plan' that provides access to some basic form of health coverage to all Coloradans" (Shanley, Denver Post, 11/13).

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