Health
Strike deadline approaches as Colorado health care workers negotiate with Kaiser Permanente
Colorado could see 3,000 health care workers go on strike next week if Kaiser Permanente leadership does not agree to union workers’ demands. While negotiating with Kaiser for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, Service Employees International Union Local 105 members and a coalition of other unions from around the country are asking […]
Second try at overdose prevention centers could allow pilot program in Colorado cities
An interim committee in the Colorado Legislature could recommend a bill for consideration next year that would establish a pilot program to allow overdose prevention centers to operate in certain areas of the state. Under a draft bill from the Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Study Committee, the pilot program would end in 2028, […]
Thousands of Colorado Medicaid recipients improperly disenrolled under new federal guidance
Colorado is one of several states whose Medicaid automatic renewal system wrongfully disenrolled thousands of eligible recipients under new federal guidance. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently changed its guidance regarding state systems that automatically determine whether a recipient is eligible for reenrollment. While the systems used to make assessments by household, […]
Food benefits for low income families at risk in a government shutdown, White House says
WASHINGTON — As Congress barrels toward a partial government shutdown, the White House Monday warned that a program that helps millions of low income families afford healthy food could see substantial cuts. The White House released a state-by-state breakdown, estimating that nearly 7 million people who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, […]
Abortion reversal ban survives test of Colorado regulatory board rules
Three state boards all declined to designate so-called “abortion reversal treatments” an accepted medical practice, so a new Colorado law banning the process is likely to stand. “Our intention with this bill has always been about making sure that Coloradans have accurate and unbiased information when making the pregnancy decision that is right for them,” […]
Idaho physicians must have greater discretion over when abortion exceptions are warranted
This commentary originally appeared in the Idaho Capital Sun. I have always considered myself pro-choice on the issue of abortion for all circumstances, but I never had to think about what that really meant until my husband and I were faced with that choice for me and our family last November. Up until that point, […]
Long Covid isolates sick people and their loved ones
This commentary originally appeared in Source NM. My girlfriend’s idea felt brilliant to me: Put out a call on Facebook for Covid-cautious people in our area to rent a theater together. We could watch the Barbie movie while wearing high-quality masks to keep each other safe. The plan turned out to be quixotic. No one […]
Biden administration to create new gun violence prevention office
WASHINGTON — The White House Thursday announced the formation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention that will help states and local governments as they implement a gun safety legislative package President Joe Biden signed into law last year. Lacking additional action in Congress to curb gun violence, “the Office of Gun Violence Prevention along […]
Americans sickened by radioactive waste press Congress for action on assistance
WASHINGTON — Victims of nuclear contamination rallied in the nation’s capital on Wednesday in support of bipartisan legislation that would extend compensation for those harmed by radioactive waste. U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, and Ben Ray Luján, a New Mexico Democrat, held a rally and press conference outside the U.S. Capitol as part […]
Real conversations with family taught me about life after loss
This commentary originally appeared in Source NM. Editor’s note: This commentary discusses grief, loss and suicide. I learned about suicide through my young childhood curiosity when I wondered out loud why my mom’s father was never around. Explanations were slow-going and came in bursts. I was told things like: He’s not here. He died before […]
Hospitals plead with Congress to avert $8 billion in cuts in Medicaid funding
WASHINGTON — Health care representatives from across the United States are urging Congress to halt cuts to funding that helps hospitals care for uninsured or low-income patients who rely on Medicaid. More than 250 hospitals and health systems appealed to House and Senate leadership in a letter Thursday asking the lawmakers to avert or delay […]
A father dreamed of a home for his family. Medical debt nearly pushed them onto the streets.
This story originally appeared in KFF Health News. DENVER — Kayce Atencio used to be haunted by a thought while working at a homeless shelter in downtown Denver. “It could have been me,” said Atencio, 30, who lives in a small apartment with his son and daughter not far from the shelter. It nearly was. […]