Posted inCOVID, Health, News

Douglas County to opt out of mask mandate, moves to leave Tri-County Health Department

In the latest coronavirus-related battle between elected officials and public health experts, Douglas County’s commissioners on Thursday announced plans to opt out of a mask mandate and move to leave the Tri-County Health Department, ending a 50-year partnership. “Effective immediately, our board directed staff to begin the work of creating a separate public health department […]

Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government

Colorado public option opponents accused of trying to “weaponize” doctors against health insurance proposal

A newly formed organization backed by Colorado hospitals, business leaders and Republican elected officials is encouraging doctors and other medical professionals to join the fight against a proposed public health insurance option and harness the trust people have in those professions. The new tactic comes on the heels of a pricey ad campaign — costing […]

Posted inNews, Politics and Government

Here are the big ideas that Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado lawmakers pitched for the 2020 session

By Erica Breunlin, Jennifer Brown, Moe Clark, John Ingold and Jesse PaulThe Colorado Sun From mental health to teacher pay, Colorado’s leaders are exploring innovative ideas to tackle the state’s biggest challenges. Gov. Jared Polis and four state lawmakers pitched their ideas Tuesday at the Big Ideas Forum hosted by The Colorado Sun, CBS4 and […]

Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government

Colorado lawmakers approved a public option for health insurance. Now the state has to figure out how to actually build it.

KEYSTONE — Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway, his face bearing the golden-retriever smile of someone who is used to getting yelled at but not taking it personally, opened the floor to comments with a suitably open-ended question: As Colorado designs a publicly backed health insurance plan, what should it look like? State lawmakers this year […]

Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government

Effort to develop Colorado-run health insurance option heads to Gov. Polis’ desk

Colorado’s House has sent to Gov. Jared Polis a bill to develop a state-run health insurance option. The bill directs state agencies to recommend a plan to compete with private insurance plans and those offered on Colorado’s health care exchange. The House approved the legislation, House Bill 1004, by a 45-19 vote late Monday. MORE: […]