Colorado Lawmakers Consider New License Plate to Honor Hospice and Palliative Care
The early design for a special Colorado license plate to support end-of-life care
Denver, Colo. — Colorado drivers may soon have another license plate option. A bill before state legislators creates a new hospice and palliative care license plate that would raise awareness of this important health care for people facing serious illness.
House Bill 21-1128, sponsored by Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, will allow Colorado drivers to choose the new plate if they qualify for it. To qualify, Coloradans will need to make an annual donation to a designated non-profit organization promoting hospice and palliative care in the state.
“Hospice and palliative care workers are heroes, bringing comfort, support and presence to individuals and families facing an often difficult journey,” said Care Synergy President and CEO Tim Bowen.
Bowen testified in support of the bill at its first hearing in the House Transportation and Local Government Committee on March 24.
“There are too many Coloradans who get hospice care much too late,” said Bowen. “The purpose of this opportunity is to help fund education and awareness throughout the state to provide better access and more timely access to care.”
The proceeds from the special license plates will fund awareness and education initiatives including professional development for health care workers who support hospice and palliative care patients, as well as public campaigns aimed at connecting more families and their loved ones with end-of-life care.
After passing the House Transportation and Local Government Committee, the bill moves on to the Appropriations Committee. If passed into law, the new license plates could be available to the public next year. Care Synergy is thankful to the bill’s sponsors for their efforts to help more Coloradans receive expert, compassionate care during a life-limiting illness. We encourage our fellow Coloradans to support the effort and to contact their elected representatives to urge passage of the bill.