Rayna Hetlage (she/her/hers) is a passionate community organizer and the Director of Political Strategy at the Center for Health Progress. With an MPH in Health Systems Management and Policy from the Colorado School of Public Health, she is dedicated to advocating for healthcare reform that focuses on the needs and experiences of communities of color.
Raised in Portland, Oregon, Rayna learned the importance of being unwavering in her willingness to speak truth to power in the pursuit of a better world. Inspired by Shirley Chisholm’s quote, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” Rayna is committed to ensuring that communities of color have a voice in shaping health care policies and decision-making processes. She strives to use her expertise to support community members in becoming leaders in the spaces where decisions are made.
As a self-proclaimed health policy nerd, Rayna’s work has primarily involved advancing legislation aimed at increasing access and affordability of health care, such as SB20-215: Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise, HB21-1232 Colorado Option, and HB22-1289 Cover All Coloradans. She currently serves as the Chair of the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise, allocating over $200 million annually to make health care more affordable for Coloradans. She envisions a healthcare system shaped by communities, prioritizing people over profit.
In her downtime, Rayna explores creative pursuits, having tried numerous crafts with a closet as proof. On weekends, she enjoys the mountains with her husband and their two dogs, Roxy and Levi.