health care
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Colorado lawmakers target ‘ghost networks’ to expand access to mental health care
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A few years ago, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance conducted a “secret shopper” survey on health insurance plans across six states, including Colorado. Of the 120 providers called, one-third were either inaccurately listed in the carrier database, out of service, or did not return the call. Only half of all calls to providers in…
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Colorado budget writers put Medicaid caregiver pay cuts on hold
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The Colorado General Assembly’s budget decision-makers have put proposed pay cuts on hold for people who care for a family member with a disability who receives Medicaid. The Joint Budget Committee made the decision after hours of testimony from family caregivers and several advocates. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing has been struggling…
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Grassroots-backed study an excellent basis for game-changing health care program | Paula Noonan
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Nibble here, nibble there. That’s how the federal government and the state have set our nation’s health care policy. President Harry Truman’s effort after World War II to bring universal health care to the United States failed. Now we have what we have. There’s Medicaid and Medicare, two government-funded programs. In Colorado there’s also the…
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Q&A with Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s Ross Marchand
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The Taxpayers Protection Alliance describes itself as a nonpartisan group “dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.” Colorado Politics spoke with TPA’s senior fellow and attorney, Ross Marchand, about the organization’s work investigating Colorado’s Medicaid spending increase. CP: Can you tell me…
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Federal judge declines to dismiss strike-breaking nurses’ lawsuit over wage violations
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A federal judge last week declined to dismiss 39 nursing employees’ claims for compensation against a Greenwood Village-based company for its alleged violations of state and federal law. U.S. Nursing Corporation employs health care professionals to cross the picket lines during strikes. During a three-day strike in October 2023 at Kaiser Permanente facilities, USN sent…
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ACA enrollment in Colorado sees slight dip amid rising costs
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Despite handwringing over enhanced federal subsidies going away for many Coloradans enrolled in health insurance on the state’s marketplace, officials reported Friday just a 2% enrollment dip. More than 277,000 Coloradans enrolled in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act — colloquially known as “Obamacare.” The decline followed five years of consecutive growth, state officials…
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AI in the exam room: blending technology with the human touch
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As artificial intelligence has become more ubiquitous in everyday life — from a typical smartphone’s autocorrect function to chatbots that can simulate conversations with humans, quickly analyze data sets and more — it’s also changing how medical professionals and organizations provide health care, and the patient experience along with it. Today, medical practitioners are using…
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No TABOR refunds this year, as Colorado Gov. Polis warns of tight fiscal outlook
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Gov. Jared Polis on Friday submitted revised budget requests for the next two fiscal years, calling for new public safety spending, changes to Medicaid growth, and renewed efforts to privatize Pinnacol Assurance. Notably, the governor said Colorado residents won’t get refunds from the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). “We are focused on protecting the issues…
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Bringing a local community approach to Colorado health policy | PODIUM
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By Sheila Lieder Health policy is not always a straightforward topic of discussion. There are many aspects to the complex health care system we’re used to. When issues arise at the national level, disagreement and dueling press conferences can slow progress and constructive results that build a better future. When you bring these subjects into…
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Judge denies AstraZeneca’s bid to block Colorado drug discount law
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A Colorado district court judge denied drug manufacturer AstraZeneca’s request for an injunction to block enforcement of a recent law barring drug manufacturers from imposing restrictions on covered entities to obtain drugs under a federal discount program. The law states that manufacturers and others may not directly or indirectly deny, restrict or limit the acquisition…