Colorado Checkup: June 2024

Medicaid for Millions in America Hinges on Deloitte-Run Systems Plagued by Errors
By Rachana Pradhan and Samantha Liss The technology has generated notices with errors, sent Medicaid paperwork to the wrong addresses, and been frozen for hours at a time, according to state audits, court documents, and interviews. While it can take months to fix problems, America’s poorest residents pay the price.

Nursing Homes Are Left in the Dark as More Utilities Cut Power To Prevent Wildfires
By Kate Ruder A nursing home in Colorado had 75 minutes to prepare for a power outage that lasted 28 hours. Such public safety power shut-offs are being used more often as a fire prevention tool, but not all health facilities are prepared.

Safety-Net Health Clinics Cut Services and Staff Amid Medicaid ‘Unwinding’
By Katheryn Houghton One of Montana’s largest safety-net health centers announced it will lay off nearly 10% of its workforce because of revenue losses it attributes to vast Medicaid disenrollments. Such cuts are happening elsewhere too.

Many Young Adults Who Began Vaping as Teens Can’t Shake the Habit
By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio New data on substance use among young adults suggests that many former teen e-cigarette users are continuing the habit.

Biden Administration Advances Plan To Remove Medical Debt From Credit Scores
By Noam N. Levey The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed federal regulations that would prevent unpaid medical bills from being counted on consumers’ credit reports.

Heat Rules for California Workers Would Also Help Keep Schoolchildren Cool
By Samantha Young Proposed state standards to protect indoor workers from extreme heat would extend to schools. The rules come as climate change is bringing more frequent and intense heat waves, causing schools nationwide to cancel instruction.

Residencias de adultos mayores quedan a oscuras en la lucha contra los incendios forestales
By Kate Ruder A medida que se generalizan los cortes de electricidad preventivos, las residencias de adultos mayores se ven obligadas a evaluar cómo prepararse. Pero no debería depender sólo de las residencias, según autoridades del sector y académicos.

Muchos adultos jóvenes que empezaron a vapear de adolescentes no pueden dejar el hábito
By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio El marketing de las empresas de cigarrillos electrónicos, que promocionan atractivos nombres con sabores frutales similares a los caramelos, llevó a muchos adolescentes a probar el vapeo.

Tu deuda médica ya no afectaría tu historial de crédito
By Noam N. Levey Si se promulgan, nuevas reglas ampliarían drásticamente las protecciones para decenas de millones de estadounidenses agobiados por facturas médicas que no pueden pagar.

Leyes que protegen a trabajadores de California del calor extremo ayudarían a estudiantes
By Samantha Young Estas mismas normas se extenderán a las escuelas, donde profesores, conserjes, quienes atienden las cafeterías y otros empleados suelen trabajar sin aire acondicionado, igual que sus alumnos.