The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) is a resource for journalists researching policy issues related to health and health care in Colorado. If you have a question about issues, data or trends, please contact:
Deborah Goeken
Director of Strategic Services
720.382.7094
Colorado's Report Card a Mixed Bag
Apr 30, 2013
The Gazette reports on the 2012 Colorado Health Report Card, an annual report released by the Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Health Institute.
A picture of health: La Plata County sixth healthiest in Colorado
Apr 14, 2013
This story from The Durango Herald includes a quote from Jeff Bontrager, Director of Research on Coverage and Access at the Colorado Health Institute.
Opinion: Looking out for No.1 in health
Apr 08, 2013
An op-ed in Health Policy Solutions by Michele Lueck, president and CEO of the Colorado Health Institute.
Opinion: Uninsured young adults: Are they really invincible?
Apr 03, 2013
An op-ed in Health Policy Solutions by Emily King, a research analyst at the Colorado Health Institute.
Mar 27, 2013
Colorado Matters reports on the 2012 Colorado Health Report Card, an annual report released by the Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Health Institute.
Revisionist history health report cards make life interesting: What if Colorado were No. 1?
Mar 26, 2013
The Denver Post’s Daily Dose blog reports on the 2012 Colorado Health Report Card, an annual report released by the Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Health Institute.
40 under 40 2013 winner - Jeff Bontrager
Mar 22, 2013
The Denver Business Journal selected our very own Jeff Bontrager for the 2013 40 under 40 list!
Boulder Valley boasts low rate of uninsured
Mar 22, 2013
The Boulder County Business Report reports on data from the Colorado Health Report Card, an annual report released by the Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Health Institute.
What If We Were No. 1?: The 2012 Colorado Health Report Card Answers the Question
Mar 21, 2013
MarketWatch reports on the 2012 Colorado Health Report Card, which was released today by The Colorado Health Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Health Institute.
What If We Were No. 1?: The 2012 Colorado Health Report Card Answers the Question
Mar 21, 2013
The Fort Mill Times reports on the 2012 Colorado Health Report Card, which was released today by The Colorado Health Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Health Institute.
Colorado Adults Are Still Fit And Healthy, But What About The Children?
Mar 21, 2013
KUNC and I-News Network report on the 2012 Colorado Health Report Card, which was released today by The Colorado Health Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Health Institute.
Opinion: Expansion of Medicaid a boon for low-income baby boomers
Mar 21, 2013
In this Health Policy Solutions piece Bob Semro cites Colorado Health Institute estimates of how many Coloradans would gain health insurance coverage if Medicaid is expanded in the state.
Report card: Colorado adult health improves, kids' decline
Mar 21, 2013
The Denver Business Journal reports on the 2012 Colorado Health Report Card, an annual report released by the Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Health Institute.
What If We Were No. 1?: The 2012 Colorado Health Report Card Answers the Question
Mar 21, 2013
BusinessWire reports on the 2012 Colorado Health Report Card, an annual report released by the Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Health Institute.
New strategy tackles growing obesity problem
Mar 03, 2013
A guest column in The Daily Camera by Sara Schmitt, Director of Community Health Policy for the Colorado Health Institute.
Letter to the editor: Dental care still an issue
Feb 27, 2013
Chris Wiant, president and CEO of Caring for Colorado, cites oral health data from the Colorado Health Access Survey in his letter to the Craig Daily Press. The Colorado Health Access Survey is managed and analyzed by the Colorado Health Institute for The Colorado Trust.
New Medicaid estimate: a billion dollar bargain?
Feb 07, 2013
This Health Policy Solutions article cites the Colorado Health Institute’s Medicaid expansion cost analysis, commissioned by The Colorado Trust.
The politics of researching gun violence prevention
Feb 05, 2013
A guest column in The Denver Post’s blog “The Idea Log” by Amy Downs, Senior Director for Policy and Analysis for the Colorado Health Institute.
Jan 31, 2013
A guest column in The Denver Post by Sara Schmitt, Director of Community Health Policy for the Colorado Health Institute.
Health care costs tackled, changing
Jan 29, 2013
This article from the Valley Courier includes data from the Colorado Health Access Survey, which is managed and analyzed by the Colorado Health Institute for The Colorado Trust.
Opinion: The politics of researching gun violence prevention
Jan 17, 2013
An op-ed in Health Policy Solutions by Amy Downs, CHI’s senior director for policy and analysis.
Opinion: Rural Colorado to benefit from health care policy changes
Jan 16, 2013
An op-ed in Health Policy Solutions by Joe Sammen, community partnerships coordinator for the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved, cites data from CHI on Colorado’s rural physician workforce.
Campaign to boost number of insured children
Jan 14, 2013
This article from EdNews Colorado cites statistics from CHI about how many of the children who are eligible for CHP+ and Medicaid are enrolled in these programs.
Federal Program Vital for Colorado
Dec 30, 2012
In this op-ed for The Pueblo Chieftain Mike Baxter and Rob Ryder cite statistics from CHI on Pueblo County parents and children who are eligible but not enrolled in Medicaid or CHP+.
Soapbox: Medicaid provider fee cuts hurt at the state level
Dec 20, 2012
In this op-ed for Coloradoan.com Kevin Unger, president and CEO of Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, cites statistics from CHI on the number of Larimer County parents and children who are eligible but not enrolled in Medicaid or CHP+.
A 'Silent Epidemic,' Coloradans Increasingly Taking Their Toothaches to the ER
Dec 17, 2012
This story from Colorado Public News and KUNC includes oral health data from the Colorado Health Access Survey, which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
More Than Half of Hispanic Coloradans Lack Dental Insurance
Dec 11, 2012
Yahoo! News reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Huge Colorado racial gap in dental coverage as more lose access
Dec 10, 2012
The Denver Post reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Opinion: Colorado must expand access to dental care
Dec 10, 2012
An op-ed in Health Policy Solutions by Sara Schmitt, CHI’s director of community health policy, on oral health findings from the 2011 Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS).
Millions of Coloradans lacking dental insurance
Dec 10, 2012
KJCT8 reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Access to dental care declining in Colorado
Dec 10, 2012
Health Policy Solutions reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Coloradans without dental insurance tops 2 million
Dec 10, 2012
AG Journal reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
2.1 million Coloradans lack dental insurance
Dec 10, 2012
The Colorado Springs Business Journal reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Ethnic gap seen in Colorado dental coverage
Dec 10, 2012
The Denver Business Journal reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
2.1 million Coloradans without dental care access
Dec 10, 2012
Examiner.com reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Coloradans without dental insurance tops 2 million
Dec 10, 2012
The La Junta Tribune Democrat reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Study: Oral health care a growing problem in Colorado
Dec 10, 2012
Northern Colorado Business Report’s article on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
How Has the Rise of Physician Employment Changed Hospitals' Recruitment Strategies?
Nov 29, 2012
This article from Becker’s Hospital Review includes data from CHI’s survey of Colorado’s rural physicians which found that lifestyle factors play a strong role in keeping doctors in rural settings, while professional factors did not rank as high.
High private insurance costs, excessive ER use plague Mesa County
Nov 24, 2012
An article from The Daily Sentinel uses data from the 2011 Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS) on how many people report having a usual source of care. The CHAS is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
The big changes coming in health care
Nov 16, 2012
A guest column in the Northern Colorado Business Report by Michele Lueck, president and CEO of the Colorado Health Institute, on the top five Colorado health care trends heading into 2013 – and CHI’s second decade.
Health care mandate will move forward
Nov 10, 2012
An article from Colorado Public News in the Durango Herald reports on how the election results will affect the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Election means health care law goes forward
Nov 09, 2012
Colorado Public News spoke with Michele Lueck, CHI’s president and CEO, about how the election results will affect the implementation of the health care law, and what it means for Coloradans. You can listen to the story on KUNC.
Nonemergencies in Colo. an urgent problem
Nov 05, 2012
An article from Colorado Public News in the Durango Herald reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Tax Penalty for Not Having Health Insurance to Hit 6 million Americans
Nov 01, 2012
Colorado Health Insurance Brokers cites a Colorado Health Institute estimate of how many Coloradans will have to buy health insurance or pay a penalty starting in January 2014.
Advancing the Debate: New study examines emergency department use in Colorado
Oct 26, 2012
The Health Law and Policy update from the Colorado Center on Law & Policy includes a summary of newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Survey: Nearly Half of Coloradans' Last ED Visit Did Not Require Emergency Care
Oct 25, 2012
Becker’s Hospital Review reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
ER use up, but uninsured aren’t ‘frequent flyers’
Oct 24, 2012
Health Policy Solutions reports on a new study released by The Colorado Trust and the Colorado Health Institute.
Opinion: Data-driven health care policy goal of CHI
Oct 24, 2012
An op-ed in Health Policy Solutions by Michele Lueck, president and CEO of the Colorado Health Institute, on CHI’s top five Colorado health care trends heading into 2013 – and CHI’s second decade.
44% of Colorado ER patients could have gone elsewhere, survey finds
Oct 24, 2012
The Denver Business Journal reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Emergency department visits increase, but not solely by uninsured
Oct 24, 2012
The Colorado Springs Business Journal reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
44% of Colorado ER patients could have gone elsewhere, survey finds
Oct 24, 2012
The Oklahoman reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
44% Of Coloradans Use ER For Non-Emergencies
Oct 24, 2012
KUNC and Colorado Public News report on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Colorado's emergency room use rose, but it's not uninsured using most
Oct 24, 2012
The Denver Post reports on newly released data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which is managed and analyzed by CHI for The Colorado Trust.
Who still wants to be a country doctor?
Oct 22, 2012
This American Medical News article looks at the need for physicians in rural areas, and how improved work-life balance can help attract and keep doctors in these communities. It includes data from CHI’s survey of Colorado’s rural physicians which found that lifestyle factors play a strong role in keeping doctors in rural settings.
Viewpoint: Huge changes coming to Colorado health care
Oct 19, 2012
A guest column in the Denver Business Journal by Michele Lueck, president and CEO of the Colorado Health Institute.
Health care trends important to Colorado
Oct 15, 2012
A guest column in the Colorado Springs Gazette by Michele Lueck, president and CEO of the Colorado Health Institute.
Opinion: New approaches to paying for health care
Oct 12, 2012
Gena Akers of SanLuisValleyHealth.org discusses the recent publication "New Approaches to Paying for Health Care," released jointly by the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) and the Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC).
May 18, 2012
A story by the Loveland Reporter-Herald about a presentation by CHI's CEO, Michele Lueck, and The Colorado Health Foundation CEO Anne Warhover on the Colorado Health Report Card.
S.E. Colorado Gets Health Report Card
May 04, 2012
Coverage of a presentation by CHI's Emily King and The Colorado Health Foundation's Caren Henderson on results of the Colorado Health Report Card to a seminar sponsored by LiveWell Prowers County.
Colorado Kids Lag on Health Indicators
Mar 22, 2012
"Colorado continues to fall behind other states on important indicators of physical health and children here are faring the worst" - Education News Colorado
Health report card: Colorado's still the leanest state, but more of us are obese
Mar 22, 2012
"Colorado remains the leanest state in the nation, but the portion of its population that is considered obese has climbed to 22 percent" - Denver Business Journal
Report: Colorado grows lazy about fat; chances of funding new help are thin
Mar 22, 2012
"The health status of many Coloradans is weighed down by expanding obesity challenges, with bleak prospects for public spending to attack the problems" - The Denver Post
Obesity rates rising in Colorado, study shows
Mar 22, 2012
"For the first time, more than one in five Coloradans is obese" - inewsnetwork
2011 Colorado Health Report Card Highlights the State of Health and Economic Challenges
Mar 22, 2012
"Despite making progress in some areas, Colorado continues to fall behind other states in childhood obesity, prenatal care, dental care for children and other factors that impact our physical and economic health" - finance.yahoo.com
Is Colorado’s health care system ready for newly insured?
Mar 22, 2012
"The leanest state in the nation has set a new, unsettling record. For the first time, more than one in five Coloradans is obese" - inewsnetwork
Study: Colorado will need more primary care physicians
Dec 12, 2011
"Colorado will need to add between 83 and 141 primary-care providers by 2016 in order to care for roughly 510,000 people who will get health insurance because of federal health care reform" - Denver Business Journal
Study: Health reform will not overwhelm Colorado’s medical system
Dec 12, 2011
"Though Colorado will add 510,000 to insurance rolls under health care reform, the state will need far fewer new doctors than previously thought" - The Denver Post
Medicaid Expansion: A Demographic Portrait of Newly Eligible Coloradans
Apr 19, 2013
The Colorado Health Institute today released a report analyzing the demographic characteristics of Coloradans who would become newly eligible for Medicaid insurance coverage if Colorado opts to expand eligibility. The Affordable Care Act includes…read more
New Analysis Reveals Number of Eligible Children Who Aren't Enrolled in Medicaid or CHP+
Mar 01, 2013
The Colorado Health Institute today released its annual analysis of the number of eligible children in the state who aren’t enrolled in the Medicaid or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) public insurance programs. About 125,000 Colorado children, or…read more
Colorado Health Institute Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Oct 15, 2012
The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) is marking its 10th anniversary with the publication of a photo book titled “Colorado: A Picture of Health.” The book shows Coloradans on the front lines of health care - providers, patients, educators,…read more
The CHI Connection: September 2012
Sep 28, 2012
It’s been a busy third quarter at the Colorado Health Institute. CHI’s health policy experts helped to draft Colorado’s State Innovation Models (SIM) Grant request to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation. CHI team members…read more
New CHI Resources for Safety Net Clinic Week
Aug 22, 2012
Two weeks ago, August 5-11, the nation’s community health centers were recognized during National Health Center Week. This week, August 20-24, is the third annual Safety Net Clinic Week, sponsored by ClinicNET and the Colorado Rural Health…read more
Jul 14, 2012
Contact: Deborah Goeken, Director of Strategic Services Phone: (720) 382-7094 The Colorado Health Institute has released a number of new analyses that highlight health policy in the state. CHI’s recent work has included publications,…read more
First Dates Announced for CHI Tenth Anniversary Webinar Series
May 21, 2012
What are some opportunities for health care cost containment, and how does care coordination fit in? What were the key themes of the 2012 session of the Colorado General Assembly, and what's in store for 2013? How will an aging population affect Colorado’s…read more
Marla Williams Joins CHI Board
Apr 16, 2012
Apr 16, 2012 - Marla Williams, president and chief executive officer of Community First Foundation, has joined the board of directors of the Colorado Health Institute (CHI). Williams joined Community First Foundation in November 2010 to serve as…read more
Linda Reiner named to Colorado Health Institute board
Feb 13, 2012
Feb 13, 2012 - The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) has named Linda Reiner, director of planning and evaluation at Caring for Colorado Foundation, to its Board of Trustees. She brings expertise in health, health policy and care delivery to the CHI…read more
CHI's Legislative Preview Released
Jan 12, 2012
Jan 12, 2012 - The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) today released Legislative Opportunities and Trends 2012, an overview of health policy issues expected to be addressed by the Colorado General Assembly during this session. With tough choices…read more
The 10 Most Popular CHI Publications of 2011
Jan 10, 2012
Jan 10, 2012 - 2011 was a memorable year in Colorado’s health policy world. The state’s closely-watched health insurance benefits exchange took its first steps, the legislature wrestled with a greater demand for health care services even…read more
New CHI analysis gives first look at need for primary care providers after health care reform
Dec 12, 2011
Dec 12, 2011 - A new analysis by the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) estimates that Colorado will need to add between 83 and 141 primary care providers – physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants – to care for the estimated…read more
Cost-containment options for Medicaid
Dec 08, 2011
Dec 8, 2011 - By 2013-14, Colorado’s Medicaid enrollment will be almost double that of a decade ago. Both enrollment and costs are expected to keep rising as the population ages, health care reform expands Medicaid eligibility to new groups of…read more
Dec 08, 2011
Dec 8, 2011 - By 2030, nearly one in five Coloradans will be age 65 and older – 1.3 million people. Most of them will need some form of long-term care because of a physical or mental disability or condition. And many will turn to Medicaid for help.…read more
A portrait of Colorado's nursing workforce
Nov 09, 2011
Nov 09, 2011 - Projections of increased need for licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and certified nurse aides in Colorado are causing concern about whether the state will have enough nurses and nurse aides to meet future demand. To help…read more