Colorado Checkup: November 2023

Anti-Abortion Groups Shrug Off Election Losses, Look to Courts, Statehouses for Path Forward
By Rachana Pradhan Anti-abortion groups have lost seven consecutive elections on state ballot measures about abortion. They say they’re unfazed and plan to keep focusing on lawmakers and courts to notch wins.

Out for Blood? For Routine Lab Work, the Hospital Billed Her $2,400
By Rachana Pradhan Convenient as it may be, beware of getting your blood drawn at a hospital. The cost could be much higher than at an independent lab, and your insurance might not cover it all.

US Military Says National Security Depends on ‘Forever Chemicals’
By Patricia Kime PFAS chemicals are found in hundreds of products and weapons used by the U.S. military. Defense Department officials say a blanket ban on these man-made substances would threaten military readiness.

Why Do We Pay For so Much Worthless Health Care?
By Markian Hawryluk Medical advances are expensive. Take Wegovy, the wildly successful obesity drug that we learned last week may also reduce the risk of heart disease. If just 10 percent of Medicare beneficiaries start taking the drug, taxpayers could be on the hook for nearly $27 billion a year.  So how can the country afford the latest […]

Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care
By Reed Abelson, The New York Times and Jordan Rau The United States has no coherent system of long-term care, leading many to struggle to stay independent or rely on a patchwork of solutions.

Why It’s So Tough to Reduce Unnecessary Medical Care
By Markian Hawryluk Treatments that don’t help patients, and may even harm them, are difficult to eliminate because they can be big sources of revenue.

As Transgender ‘Refugees’ Flock to New Mexico, Waitlists Grow
By Cecilia Nowell As many states have moved to restrict or ban gender-affirming care for trans people, a few states, including New Mexico, have codified protections. But those laws don’t always mean accessing care is simple or quick, as a surge in new patients in the state collides with limited doctors and clinics.

Medical Debt Is Disappearing From Americans’ Credit Reports, Lifting Scores
By Noam N. Levey As credit rating agencies have removed small unpaid medical bills from consumer credit, scores have gone up, a new study finds.

Ohio Voted on Abortion. Next Year, 11 More States Might, Too.
By Bram Sable-Smith Ohio is the latest state where voters have directly weighed in on abortion, and the next wave of such ballot measures is in the works in at least 11 other states, including Missouri.

Start Shopping: Enrollment Begins Nov. 1 for Most Obamacare Insurance Plans
By Julie Appleby More than 16 million Americans who buy their own health insurance through state and federal marketplaces have until Jan. 15 to compare prices, change their coverage, or enroll for the first time.