Eric Whitney, Colorado Public Radio

ericreporter@gmail.com
@EricReporter

Entrepreneurs At Health ‘Datapalooza’ Ask Feds For More Data

KFF Health News Original

The White House is trying to spur innovation by releasing more of its data from Medicare, Medicaid and other sources. But technology business leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. this week said the federal government could be a lot more forthcoming with information.

Colorado Weighs Reopening A Psychiatric Hospital To Serve The Homeless

KFF Health News Original

A proposal by Gov. John Hickenlooper would bring mentally ill and addicted homeless people to Fort Lyon, a one-time mental hospital, then prison, that’s been shuttered for two years. The patients would voluntarily come to the institution. And the tiny town of Las Animas would welcome the jobs that reopening the facility would create.

Despite Incentives, Doctors’ Offices Lag On Digital Records

KFF Health News Original

A recent study found that the health care industry isn’t benefiting from computer networks that have transformed other fields. But the federal coordinator for health IT says there has been a lot of progress that will result in better care and cost savings in the future.

Colorado Pursues Insurance Exchange-But Keeps Fighting About It

KFF Health News Original

A special legislative committee gave Colorado the green light on Thursday to continue working on its health insurance exchange by allowing it to apply for a $43 million federal grant. But first the lawmakers had to fight about it.

Firefighters Prevail In Fight for Health Insurance

KFF Health News Original

President Obama has told federal agencies to start offering seasonal firefighters the same health benefits year-round federal employees get. The order came as legislation to make the change was introduced in Congress.

Poor, Sick And Expensive: Colorado’s Scaled-Down Medicaid Expansion

KFF Health News Original

The state is one of just a few that is expanding Medicaid ahead of a major expansion called for in 2014 by the federal health law. Though the state estimates that 50,000 people meet the income bar, Colorado will only be able to offer coverage to 10,000 people.