Colorado Checkup: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
State Lawmakers Seek Restraints on Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt
Rae Ellen Bichell
At least eight states are considering legislation to curtail wage garnishment over unpaid medical bills, as health care costs rise and more people become underinsured.
Nevada Debuts Public Option Amid Tumultuous Federal Changes to Health Care
Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
The state recently became the third to offer a public option health plan through its Affordable Care Act marketplace. But researchers said it’s unlikely to fill the gaps left by sweeping changes at the federal level.
Obamacare Sign-Ups Drop, but the Extent Won’t Be Clear for Months
Julie Appleby
Experts say Affordable Care Act sign-up data won’t be clear until people who were enrolled have paid — or haven't paid — their new, often much higher, premiums.
Newsom Walks Thin Line on Immigrant Health as He Eyes Presidential Bid
Christine Mai-Duc
Progressives are assailing Gov. Gavin Newsom for proposing to pull back coverage for some legal residents, such as refugees and asylum-seekers, while conservatives lambaste the California Democrat for using limited state funds on Medicaid coverage for immigrants without legal status.
Red and Blue States Alike Want To Limit AI in Insurance. Trump Wants To Limit the States.
Darius Tahir and Lauren Sausser
A revolt is afoot in both red and blue states against the use of artificial intelligence in health insurance determinations — and against efforts led by President Donald Trump to tie states’ hands.
Trump Required Hospitals To Post Their Prices for Patients. Mostly It’s the Industry Using the Data.
Darius Tahir
Politicians have pushed for price transparency in health care. But instead of patients shopping for services, it’s mostly health systems and insurers that are using the information, as fodder for negotiations over pay.
Listen: Why Do I Need Prior Authorization?
Sarah Boden
When the doctor says you need a prescription or treatment, sometimes you need approval from your health insurance first. Without it, they won’t pay. Health reporter Sarah Boden joins “Life Kit” host Marielle Segarra to discuss prior authorization.
Trump Team’s Planned ACA Rule Offers Its Answer to Rising Premium Costs: Catastrophic Coverage
Julie Appleby
Sweeping changes to the Affordable Care Act marketplace next year have been proposed by the Trump administration that focus on making more insurance plans available with higher annual out-of-pocket costs but lower premiums.
RFK Jr. Made Promises in Order To Become Health Secretary. He’s Broken Many of Them.
Amanda Seitz and Hannah Norman
Before being confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation’s official vaccine recommendations. He did both.