Colorado Archives

Tampons, Pads And Politics Mesh In New Push For Access To Menstrual Supplies

As a national movement for better access to menstrual products gains steam, “period equity” activists in Colorado are finding the path to change isn’t straight. Although Denver last summer repealed sales taxes on menstrual products and the state now requires supplies to be provided in prisons, an effort to repeal the statewide sales tax on the products failed. So, activists assemble supply kits to donate to those who need them.

By Kate Ruder

March 12, 2020

Despite A Birth By A Colorado Legislator, Paid Family Leave Bill Feels Labor Pains

A Colorado lawmaker giving birth near the start of the state’s four-month legislative session highlighted the lack of comprehensive paid family leave. Yet a bill to add a statewide system that once seemed a sure thing is getting bogged down.

By Markian Hawryluk

March 6, 2020

COVID-19

During A Pandemic, States’ Patchwork Of Crisis Strategies Could Mean Uneven Care

If a coronavirus pandemic were to hit the U.S., only 36 states have blueprints for “crisis standards of care” to sort out who gets what kind of medical care amid scarce resources. And not all the plans are of high quality. That means health care providers in some states will be better prepared for a crisis than others — but all could face tough decisions.

By Markian Hawryluk

March 5, 2020

Colorado Forges Ahead On A New Model For Health Care While Nation Waits

Since gaining control of the House, Senate and governor’s office, Colorado Democrats are pushing an aggressive health care agenda. With measures to create a public insurance option, welcome drug importation, lower drug prices, curtail surprise billing and cap insulin copays, the state is becoming a likely model for health policies at the federal level.

By Markian Hawryluk

Feb. 28, 2020

Listen: Colorado Ski Area Opts For Novel Effort To Stop Avalanche Of Health Costs

KHN’s Julie Rovner joins WAMU’s “1A” on Wednesday to discuss an innovative plan by Summit County, Colorado, to directly negotiate with doctors and hospitals to lower health costs.

Jan. 29, 2020

Terminally Ill, He Wanted Aid-In-Dying. His Catholic Hospital Said No.

Neil Mahoney had terminal cancer. He also had a legal right to aid-in-dying. But his faith-based hospital called it “morally unacceptable.” So he turned to a network of Colorado doctors to fulfill his last wish.

By JoNel Aleccia

Jan. 29, 2020

Listen: How High-Deductible Plans Hurt Rural America

KHN senior correspondent Markian Hawryluk joined Colorado Public Radio’s Avery Lill on “Colorado Matters” to discuss his recent story on how high-deductible health plans are especially hurting the financial health of patients and hospitals in rural America.

Jan. 16, 2020

American Pot Is The Gold Standard. But Canada Leads The Export Game — For Now.

American marijuana has a reputation for being the best in the world. But the federal prohibition on marijuana makes shipments across state lines or overseas a pipe dream. While U.S. firms expect the restrictions to drop in the coming years, they are stuck operating within state borders. That’s left Canadian cannabis growers to dominate the export market, with U.S. firms falling further behind each year.

By Markian Hawryluk

Jan. 3, 2020

Don’t Toss That E-Cig: Vaping Waste Is A Whole New Headache For Schools And Cities

E-cigarettes may look sleek, but they create toxic trash, especially at high schools where vaping is widespread. Disposable nicotine pods can be poisonous, and vape pens contain batteries and metals. Safely disposing of them can mean a trip to the local recycling center.

By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio

Dec. 18, 2019

Return To Sender: A Single Undeliverable Letter Can Mean Losing Medicaid

Colorado, like a number of states, is struggling to deal with returned mail sent out by its Medicaid, SNAP and other aid programs. Now people could lose benefits after just a single piece of returned mail.

By Markian Hawryluk

Nov. 4, 2019

‘Invincible’ Teen Vapers Face Fears, Ask For Help

Starting to vape is easy, but quitting a nicotine habit can be tough, teens are finding. Some vaping cessation programs have begun to reach out to teens where they live — on their phones.

By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio

Oct. 30, 2019

Taking The Cops Out Of Mental Health-Related 911 Rescues

Denver is considering adopting a new 911 alternative used in Eugene, Ore., that allows mental health and medical professionals, not police officers, to respond to some emergency calls, saving money and de-escalating situations with mentally ill people.

By LJ Dawson

Oct. 11, 2019

Why Hospitals Are Getting Into The Housing Business

Hospital systems now invest in housing to help some of their most frequent patients. This allows them to safely discharge patients who otherwise would have no place to go, freeing up beds for sicker patients and saving the hospitals money.

By Markian Hawryluk

Oct. 4, 2019

Bill of the Month

Which Was Worse: The Bachelor Party Hangover Or The Hangover From The ER Bill?

One groom’s bachelor party hangover illustrates how emergency room bills have become major headaches for many Americans.

By Markian Hawryluk

Sept. 19, 2019

Firing Doctor, Christian Hospital Sets Off National Challenge To Aid-In-Dying Laws

In Colorado case, the right to aid a cancer patient’s death runs up against faith-based hospital policies. As more states have passed laws, about 1 in 6 acute care beds nationally is in a hospital that is Catholic-owned or -affiliated.

By JoNel Aleccia

Aug. 30, 2019

Where Tourism Brings Pricey Health Care, Locals Fight Back

Residents in Colorado ski resort country found relief from high insurance premiums and high hospital costs by joining forces and negotiating prices directly with the local hospital.

By Julie Appleby

Aug. 9, 2019

If You Smoke Pot, Your Anesthesiologist Needs To Know

Colorado is on the front lines in dealing with how marijuana use affects surgery. Lessons learned on operating tables and in recovery rooms have prompted calls for more research on marijuana nationwide.

By Kate Ruder

Aug. 2, 2019

Trump Has Blessed States’ Exploration Of Importing Drugs. Will It Catch On?

Colorado, Florida and Vermont — with the support of President Donald Trump — are exploring plans to bring drugs across the border from Canada to help lower costs.

By Phil Galewitz

June 28, 2019

KHN & PolitiFact HealthCheck

Hickenlooper Expanded Medicaid, Created State-Run Marketplace To Insure Nearly All Coloradans

We wondered how Colorado’s uninsured rate changed during John Hickenlooper’s time in the governor’s mansion and how it compares with the rest of the country.

By Julianna Rennie, PolitiFact

April 17, 2019

Medicaid Expansion Boosts Hospital Bottom Lines — And Prices

Colorado officials say hospitals are better off financially after the state expanded coverage to more low-income residents, but that hasn’t stopped them from shifting more costs to other insured patients.

By Phil Galewitz

March 27, 2019

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