Colorado Officials Examine Rising Health Costs, Decreasing Access

Colorado health care leaders on Oct. 29 discussed how to lower health costs in the state and increase access to care for state residents, the Denver Post reports. HMO and hospital executives, physicians, patient advocates, government officials and legislators attended the leadership forum, sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Some attendees proposed a system of coupling "bare bones" health plans -- which would only cover preventive screening and basic health care -- with medical savings accounts, which would cover any additional care. Attendees also suggested giving low-income residents tax credits to purchase insurance and forming a coalition of health organizations to gather health quality information and distribute it to the public. Princeton health economist and conference attendee Uwe Reinhardt suggested the federal government should implement a $120 billion a year tax increase to pay for health insurance for low-income people (Austin, Denver Post, 10/30).