The New America Foundation (NAF) and the University of Denver’s Center for Colorado’s Economic Future recently published a new study in conjunction with The Colorado Trust and The Colorado Health Foundation. The study was designed to look at the projected economic outcomes for the state of Colorado with and without health care reform. For the reform scenario, the researchers concentrated on the recommendations created by the Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission (208 Commission) a few years ago. They compared that data with the projected outcomes if we do nothing and simply maintain the current system with regards to health care. […]
Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission
Health Insurance Premiums And Age
How much should age play a part in determining health insurance premiums? That’s a question that lawmakers are debating, and one that might require an answer that is more strategic than it is fair. In general, older people have higher health care bills than younger people. Because of their lower claims, younger people currently pay much lower premiums for health insurance than older people. But they continue to be the most uninsured segment of our population.
In 2007, the Lewin Group released a report for the Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Reform. It showed that 38.7% of Colorado residents age 19 – 24 were uninsured. This was far more than the next highest category (27.1% of people age 25 – 34 were uninsured). Several factors contribute to the high percentage of young people who are uninsured. They tend to be healthy, and thus aren’t as likely to see the value in health insurance. They tend to work in entry-level jobs that aren’t as likely to provide health insurance benefits. And they usually have lower incomes than older workers, making health insurance – even if it is cheaper for them – harder to afford […]
Mandatory And Guaranteed Issue Health Insurance
[…] I think scrapping medical underwriting would drive health insurance premiums out of reach for the average American. That would mean even more people without health insurance. Here in Colorado, making health insurance mandatory gained a lot of ground last year with the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care, but we haven’t seen any changes yet.
Colorado Businesses Don’t Want Mandatory Health Insurance
The Blue Ribbon Commission for health care reform in Colorado has recommended a mandate for health insurance coverage, but not necessarily coverage that is tied to employment. And it should come as no surprise that business owners on the western slope – just like business owners all over Colorado – are not excited about the idea of being required to provide employees […]
Mandatory Health Insurance Not Likely
In Colorado, two of the top five proposals being considered last year by the Blue Ribbon Commission included mandatory health insurance, and they’ve done it in MA – residents there are currently paying fines if they don’t have health insurance in place. But with Clinton out of the race, nationwide mandatory health insurance isn’t likely to come to […]
Government Health Care Is Better Than None At All
I found this article at the Health Care Blog and wanted to share it with our readers. Obviously this doesn’t only apply to McCain. All big-time politicians get government-funded health care. It’s a sweet benefit of working for the government. And there’s no way around the fact that it makes it difficult for a politician… Read more about Government Health Care Is Better Than None At All
Newspapers Support "Free Market" Health Care Reform
I just came across an interesting article by Michelle Swenson at the Health Blog. The gist of the article is that the two major Colorado newspapers – the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post – consistently presented a skewed view of the health care reform proposals that were evaluated over the last year by… Read more about Newspapers Support "Free Market" Health Care Reform
Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission Report Finalized
The Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform made its final report to the Colorado General Assembly last week. The 176 page document was endorsed by 24 of the 27 diverse commissioners, and includes provisions that the Commission says will reduce the number of Coloradans without health insurance (currently 792,000 people) by 88%. The… Read more about Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission Report Finalized
Another Step Forward for the Blue Ribbon Commission
The Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform is moving closer to its goal of overhauling the Colorado health care system. On Thursday, the members of the commission presented a 101 page draft of their final recommendations on changes that need to be made to the ailing health care system in the state. The… Read more about Another Step Forward for the Blue Ribbon Commission
Blue Ribbon Commission Now Has Five Approved Drafts
Another draft of a proposal to reform Colorado’s health care system was approved on Monday by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform. That makes five proposals that have been approved for consideration so far. The Commission will recommend a final version of Colorado’s health care reform, hopefully within the next few months. The… Read more about Blue Ribbon Commission Now Has Five Approved Drafts
Blue Ribbon Commission Corruption
Immediately after the State of Colorado contracted with Lewin Group to review the 208 commissions proposals on the future of health care in Colorado, Lewin Group was bought out by United Health Group (UHG). UHG is the largest provider of health insurance in Colorado, and is now also an “independent auditor” in charge of reforming… Read more about Blue Ribbon Commission Corruption