House Committee Provides Helping Hand to 9Health Fair

Program promotes personal responsibility & affordable health care

DENVER – On Wednesday, the House Finance Committee voted 7 to 3 to help Coloradans receive vital preventive and chronic care.  Senate Bill 16, sponsored by State Representative Debbie Benefield (D-Westminster and Arvada) and State Senator Nancy Spence (D-Arapahoe County), would provide much-needed funding to the vital program.   

“For thousands of Coloradans, the only contact they have with health care professionals over the course of a year is at the 9Health Fair,” Rep. Benefield continued.  “Without the 9Health Fair, thousands of potentially serious health issues would go undetected and untreated.  This bill helps Coloradans take charge of their health.”

The bill creates the 9Health Fair Fund through the state treasury.  The program would be funded by a voluntary check-off on state income tax returns.  Those funds would help pay for the fair, which provides low cost and free health care screenings and preventive medicine to thousands of Coloradans annually.

The mission of the 9Health Fair is to promote health awareness and encourage Coloradans to take responsibility for their own health.  Last year, the 9Health Fair provided care to 87,000 Coloradans at 160 locations in 50 counties.  Since the fair was founded in 1980, it has served more than 1.5 million people.  The 9Health Fair is primarily staffed by volunteers from hospitals, schools, service organizations and religious institutions across the state. 

“The 9Health Fair is an essential part of so many Colorado communities,” said Rep. Benefield.  “This is a non-profit organization that truly understands the importance of disease prevention.  This is a genuine community-based, grass roots effort that provides both screenings and education to people who otherwise couldn’t afford it.”

The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee before going to the full House for further consideration.

-- Posted by staff