Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Universal Health Care Initiative Shot Down In Colorado
Amendment 69, the ballot measure known as ColoradoCare that would have created a universal health care system in Colorado, was soundly defeated Tuesday night. At 8:30 p.m., with nearly 1.8 million votes counted across the state, the amendment was trailing 79.6 percent to 20.4 percent, according to preliminary state figures. Throughout the campaign, the measure had polled better with Democrats than Republicans. But even in left-leaning Denver, the amendment was losing 2-to-1, according to early returns. (Ingold, 11/8)
Californians have chosen to make permanent聽the聽hospital fee program that helps fund Medi-Cal, the state's聽subsidized healthcare program for low-income residents. Early election returns show the measure passing with more than 70% of the vote. Proposition 52 will聽hobble聽state lawmakers' ability to change or end the hospital fee program. (Bollag, 11/8)
California voters have approved Proposition 52, a ballot measure that makes permanent a fee on hospitals that helps fund Medi-Cal, the state鈥檚 health insurance plan for low income Californians. (11/9)
Oklahoma State Questions 780 and 781 passed during the Nov. 8 general election. Set to become effective July 1, 2017, State Question 780 will diminish certain non-violent drug and theft-related crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, simultaneously changing their maximum penalty to one year in prison and a fine of $1,000.The changes are intended to聽save the state money by decreasing the number and duration of incarcerations. The companion bill, State Question 781, will then set forth a plan to聽distribute the savings to different counties for the purpose of supporting聽mental health and substance abuse services. (11/8)
Nevada voters have passed state ballot questions 1, 2, 3 and 4. ...聽Nevadans have passed a measure that will exempt medical equipment such as oxygen tanks and hospital beds from the state's sales tax. Voters gave their blessing to the Medical Patient Tax Relief Act, which is also called Question 4. It must pass a second statewide vote in 2018 before it can become a constitutional amendment. (11/9)
