Colorado could soon get a lot of money from opioid settlements. But where should those dollars go?
In a new Colorado Health Institute survey, experts weighed between spending money on treatment, prevention and other priorities.
Colorado has 2nd deadliest year for drug overdose deaths
"A new report from the Colorado Health Institute shows nearly a thousand Coloradans died from an overdose last year. In 2018, 974 Coloradans died, which is down from 1,012 deaths recorded in 2017." –– 9News
Some doctors can write a prescription for legal services that might mean housing for a family
"In a report this summer, the Colorado Health Institute said medical-legal partnerships were among the “practical options” to address the impacts that housing access — or lack thereof — have on health."
Public insurance option could lower costs for Connect for Health customers
"Medicare is a national federal benchmark for reimbursing hospitals, but it doesn’t cover the care hospitals provide, said Joe Hanel, a spokesman with Colorado Health Institute."
Uninsured rate holds steady in Colorado, but more struggle to pay medical bills, survey finds
"'Colorado has made great strides in breaking down barriers to better health for its people. But we can’t take those gains for granted,' said Michele Lueck, president of the Colorado Health Institute, which oversaw the survey of 10,000 households that took place between February and June." [Denver Post]
Warning signs belie low uninsured rate across Colorado, El Paso County
"Colorado’s uninsured rate held steady this year at 6.5%, according to the 2019 Colorado Health Access Survey — an encouraging sign of stability for a market that’s seen steep price spikes, rising out-of-pocket costs and the repeal of the federal mandate to purchase health insurance." [Colorado Springs Gazette]
Colorado Still Has A Low Uninsured Rate, But Cracks Are Starting To Show
"New survey results released by the Colorado Health Institute show the state’s uninsured rate of 6.5 percent has remained unchanged over the last four years. Even so, Jeff Bontrager, CHI’s director of research and evaluation, said, 'It seems like we're losing ground, even despite the improved economy.'" [CPR News]
Healthcare is complicated. If you’re undocumented, getting it can be a nightmare.
"Jeff Bontrager, director of research for the Colorado Health Institute, said this is something that many more people deal with as they face serious conditions. People without insurance, and even those who do qualify for Medicaid, are usually not covered for specialist care. His agency estimates Coloradans miss about 634,000 specialty care visits per year." [Denverite]
As Polis touts price drops from Summit County health insurance alliance, hospitals are skeptical it can work statewide
"But Allie Morgan, the director of legislative services for the Colorado Health Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, said the alliance model may work best in smaller communities with fewer hospitals." [The Colorado Sun]
Diabetes insulin will soon be capped at $100 per month under new state law
CHI CEO Michele Lueck provided her insight into a new state law capping the price of insulin on a 9News segment Thursday night.