health care
U.S. Supreme Court dismisses challenge that threatened to unwind Obamacare
The justices, by a 7-2 vote, left the entire law intact Thursday in ruling that Texas, other Republican-led states and two individuals had no right to bring their lawsuit in federal court
Colorado farmworkers could get easier access to medical care under new “bill of rights”
Agricultural workers living in employer-owned housing can have trouble getting health care. It’s a symptom of bigger gaps in worker protections that the pandemic spotlighted, say proponents of a newly passed Colorado bill for farmworker rights.
Five moments that defined Colorado’s 2021 legislative session
This year’s 120-day lawmaking session was delayed by coronavirus, boosted by billions in federal stimulus dollars and drew outrage over racist remarks.
Colorado Democrats’ big health care bill is headed to the governor’s desk to be signed into law
House Bill 1232 passed the General Assembly without the support of a single Republican in the House or Senate
Colorado lawmakers wage multifront assault on high drug costs
While none of the efforts alone would result in broad-based, deep cuts, state officials estimate the combined impact of the various measures could save Coloradans between 20% and 40% in out-of-pocket costs
Colorado Democrats’ big health insurance bill was amended 21 times. Here’s how it has changed.
What started as a plan for a state-offered health insurance option to drop costs by 20% has now morphed into a measure requiring private companies to offer a state-regulated plan with 15% lower costs.
117 Colorado nursing homes with COVID outbreaks received both fines and financial assistance from the federal government
1,103 residents died at Colorado nursing homes that had outbreaks, paid fines and pocketed bonuses in 2020, 9Wants to Know found
Colorado bill prohibits insurers from using “discriminatory” data, like social media and credit scores, to set rates
The measure would bar insurers from using third-party site data to charge higher insurance premiums based on race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Colorado governor drops mask mandate for indoor spaces where at least 80% of people are fully vaccinated
Masks are no longer required for gatherings of nine people or fewer in Colorado
Dark-money group spends record amount lobbying against Colorado Democrats’ effort to shrink health care costs
Partnership for America’s Health Care Future, funded by hospitals, insurers and other business groups, is now the top single-year Colorado lobbying client for any year since 2011 — and possibly ever
Colorado Democrats drop public health insurance option to pursue state-regulated plan instead after industry pushback
An amendment to House Bill 1232 would require private insurers in the state to offer a highly regulated, standardized plan and drive down premium costs by 18% over three years
Colorado to offer walk-in coronavirus vaccinations at three sites
The dozens of other vaccination sites in Colorado will continue to operate on an appointment-only basis
Colorado is in its fourth coronavirus wave as more contagious variants become dominant among cases
“More than 50% of positive cases that are occurring in the state are now due to variants of COVID-19,” Dr. Rachel Herlihy said
Opinion: A Colorado public option for health care is a backwards step
We would all be much better off by working together to build on and improve our current system than trying to implement one that is controlled by politicians in Denver.
Opinion: In a COVID-devastated world, the case for a Colorado public option for health care is clear
By reining in runaway health-care costs through the public option, we can protect all Coloradans, especially low-income families, underserved communities and under-represented populations.
Colorado will open coronavirus vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and older starting on Friday
The state was planning to open vaccine eligibility to the general public starting in mid-April. Colorado will join at least 12 other states across the country that have already expanded eligibility to the general population or will do so by the end of the week.
In the Denver Health emergency department, patients and caregivers are scarred by a brutal year
Patients’ wounds hinted at links to the pandemic. So did the emotional damage to workers.
Colorado will loosen its coronavirus dial system next week, allow bars to reopen across much of the state and end personal gathering limits
Colorado is also removing its limit on personal gathering sizes, though CDPHE notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still strongly recommends avoiding larger gatherings and crowds to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Colorado Democrats unveil their public health insurance option proposal. Here’s how it would work.
The Colorado Sun combed through the bill and talked to its sponsors to learn what the measure would do
