Health

Gov. Ritter: Education a key investment for economic growth; Bell to research state funding needs and revenue potential, start ???purposeful discussion???; Proposed federal regulation could cost Colorado hospitals $128 million; Health Care Day of Action draws hundreds to state Capitol; Economic snapshot: strong economy, high costs for the poor; Two reports examine how immigrants affect the U.S. labor force; Micro-loans help low-income women start businesses

Articles: Legislature considers full plate of opportunity-related education bills; Free school breakfasts help hungry kids start the day fed and ready to learn; Eligible citizens denied services due to new identification requirements; Earned Income Tax Credit payouts stimulate local economies; www.thebell.org gets a functional overhaul

This special flyer distributed at the Health Care Day of Action event at the state Capitol summarizes issues Colorado residents and employers face in paying the growing costs of health care coverage. It also lists the sponsors of the event and has a cartoon depicting the health care coverage crisis.

Presentation providing an overview of the Bell Policy Center's report "Opportunity Lost: When Hard Work Isn't Enough for Colorado's Families."

Small group health insurance premiums increased an average of 84 percent between 1996 and 2002 in Colorado as well as the nation.

In 2003-04, the national uninsured rate averaged 15.7 percent. During the same time period, 17.1 percent of Coloradans (nearly 770,000 people) reported having no private or public health coverage.

Employment dynamics have a direct effect on health insurance coverage because most people obtain their health insurance through their workplace. In 2002-04, about three-fourths (441,000 people) of working-age Coloradans (age 18-64) who were uninsured reported working at some point during the previous calendar year.

This Issue Brief looks at how Colorado compares to other states in funding for education, health care and public services.

Issue Brief explaining effects of the recent economic recession and Colorado???s TABOR Amendment on funding for Medicaid and other health programs in the state.

Issue Brief explaining effects of the recent economic recession and Colorado???s TABOR Amendment on funding for mental health programs in the state.