Low-income

Gov. John Hickenlooper, in signing the law that expands Medicaid eligibility, has ensured that Colorado will be a healthier place in years to come.

The expansion of health insurance coverage means that many more Coloradans will get the care they need at the right time and in the right place. The governor signed Senate Bill 200 on Monday.

Gov. John Hickenlooper signs the bill creating the Hospital Payment
Assistance Program. At left is Sen. Irene Aguilar, the Senate sponsor,
and Rep. Cindy Acree, the House sponsor, is at right.

New education commissioner aims for alignment; Colorado Department of Education launches Forward Thinking report; Federal investments in kids projected to drop in the future; P-20 Council tackles education issues, but leaves adult ed discussion until 2008; Expanding health insurance helps, but won???t solve health disparities; Strategies multiply to help low-income families develop assets; Colorado Springs non-profit offers alternative to payday loans

A new analysis of health savings accounts from the Bell Policy Center shows that the tax-advantaged accounts work well for healthy, high-income workers but are too risky for low-income families. ???HSAs may be useful for some consumers, but they are by no means a solution to the major problems in today???s health care system,??? said Blair Woodbury, author of the Bell issue brief, ???Health Savings Accounts and High-Deductible Health Plans.???

A new analysis of health savings accounts from the Bell Policy Center shows that the tax-advantaged accounts work well for healthy, high-income workers but are too risky for low-income families. ???HSAs may be useful for some consumers, but they are by no means a solution to the major problems in today???s health care system,??? said Blair Woodbury, author of the Bell issue brief, ???Health Savings Accounts and High-Deductible Health Plans.???

This issue brief details the demographics of those who would be affected by Amendment 42, which would increase the minimum wage in Colorado and index it to inflation.

SB 059 creates the Smart Start nutrition program and fund to pay the costs of eliminating the copayment for those students who currently qualify for reduced-price breakfasts under the school breakfast program. This revised Opportunity Note reflects amendments to the bill.

Articles: Health-care spending continues to outpace growth of economy, Economic security for low-income families, Many states closing educational ???expectations gap???, CCHE moves forward with new financial aid model, Health care costs squeeze higher ed funding, Employer spending on benefits grows more than on wages, Will health savings accounts reduce health care spending?, Strong state laws against predatory lending work, Net worth, income and savings gaps exist between white and minority . . .

A compilation of data used in the 2004 "Opportunity Lost: When Hard Work Isn't Enough for Colorado Families" report.

I n our free market economy, the ultimate gateway to opportunity is a good income that allows a family to accumulate assets and save for the future. And unlike health or education, wealth can be stored, shared with one???s family, and passed on from generation to generation.