Our Work
The Republican Congress began the year with a confident pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), emboldened by President Trump’s campaign pledge.
But the tune quickly changed, and instead of sounding the victory horns and lighting cigars with the burning remains of the ACA text, GOP lawmakers have struggled over the past months to craft a plan to replace the most significant health policy legislation in the past 50 years.
Then, on Monday, the House GOP released its long-awaited Obamacare replacement plan, titling it the American Health Care Act (AHCA).
This past Sunday, it was time to “spring forward.” The CHI team set our clocks ahead one hour and increased our coffee consumption for another busy week.
The day we’ve been waiting for since November 9 has arrived. Congressional Republicans released their bill, dubbed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), to replace former President Barack Obama’s signature achievement, the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
I should be thinking about wonky health policy, but I can’t stop thinking about Coming to America, a 1988 movie starring Eddie Murphy.
In one scene, restaurant owner Cleo McDowell is trying to explain why his burger joint isn’t a rip-off of a well-known national chain.
Health policy in Washington seems to be stalled as the new presidential administration takes shape. But health issues are well underway at the Colorado legislature.
The Colorado Health Institute team is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to covering the debates in Denver and Washington this year, and we have a lot to report this week.
Repeal. Replace. Repair. Rebuild.
All these “re” words are floating around Washington as Congress moves to get rid of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
I recently bought a new blue car. Yes, I followed the herd and got a Subaru. Yes, I’ve christened it The Papa Smurf. And yes, the car has lots of nifty features – like a system that warns me if I’m about to back into a Dumpster -- that often make me wonder if my car is smarter than I am.
Warm-up time is over for the Colorado legislative session. After a few weeks of ceremonies and getting-to-know-you meetings, lawmakers are starting to vote on a stack of interesting bills.
Next week will be a busy one in health policy.
And we’re off! It’s been a busy first two weeks of the legislative session, full of speeches and ceremony and yes, plenty of new bills. The 120-day session is too quick for a marathon, too long for a sprint — more like a fast-paced racewalk with some pushing and shoving along the way. (There are 1,275 days until the next Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Not that we’re counting.)
Governor John Hickenlooper delivered a State of the State address this morning that was heavy on health policy — starting with a call to modify the Hospital Provider Fee to control costs and help rural hospitals and clinics.
We publish our annual legislative forecast is full of information on the coming debates, from the detailed, wonky policy choices about issues such as prescription drug costs and freestanding emergency departments to the big-league national fights that will reverberate here in Colorado.