Sonny Joel Flock waves at his friend moments before a major ski crash at Arapahoe Basin two years ago. Photo courtesy Sonny Joel Flock and Kyle Hoehn. (CPN)

Brain Injuries Decrease as Skier Helmet Use Rises

On February 19, 2013 By

67% of skiers and snowboarders in the country now wear helmets on the slopes, according to the National Ski Areas Association. That’s compared to 25% who wore helmets ten years ago. Rabah Kamal of Colorado Public News shares how helmets are preventing serious injury, but with limits.

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Federal Funds for Medicaid Could Add 12,000 Colorado Jobs

On January 15, 2013 By

A proposal to expand Medicaid to cover 160,000 more Coloradans will add roughly 12,000 jobs statewide, according to a rough estimate.

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Colorado Hospitals on a $3.4 Billion Construction Boom

On January 7, 2013 By

During the election, voters told pollsters that their number two worry was the high cost of healthcare. At the same time, Colorado hospitals are spending billions of dollars on new construction. Colorado Public News did a survey and found fifty hospital building projects across the state, either underway or completed in the last three years.

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Colorado Hospitals Boost Safety Grades

On November 28, 2012 By

The number of Colorado hospitals receiving an “A” grade for patient safety nearly doubled in the past six months, from seven to 13, according to Washington-based Leapfrog Group.

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Marijuana Possession Arrests Up; Non-Whites at Higher Rates

On October 30, 2012 By

100,000 Coloradans have medical marijuana licenses now. Still, even though more patients can legally buy pot, arrests are UP by 7%.

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John Crandall, owner of the Old Town Bike Shop in Colorado Springs, advises customer Gayle Allen. Crandall found taking the tax credit for health insurance for his employees easy, but he’s in the minority among other business owners across Colorado. Credit: Ann Imse/Colorado Public News

Few Colorado Businesses use Health Insurance Tax Credit

On October 15, 2012 By

The health care law now makes it more affordable for small businesses and nonprofits to provide health insurance for their employees. But only a small number of these employers are actually taking advantage of the opportunity.

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Lawyer by Day, First Responder by Night

On September 10, 2012 By

When you dial 911 in Colorado, the first responders who arrive to help usually show up in a fire truck. And, on interstates and highways connecting vast swaths of rural Colorado, they are likely to be volunteers – people whose day jobs range from lawyers to butchers to high school students.

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Grant Jones, Executive Director, Center for African-American Health Credit: Center for African-American Health

Preaching Good Health from the Pulpit

On September 5, 2012 By

Rev. Michael O. Minor’s decision to ban fried chicken from his Baptist church was so radical that, eventually the White House heard about it.

And, says Minor, “People started tasting the home cooked flavor of [healthier] grilled and baked chicken and started doing it at home.”

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The Intersection of Obesity and Public Policy

On August 21, 2012 By

As the number of Americans tipping the obesity scale grows, another battle over the bulges has emerged: How much should public policy control the collective diet?

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Colorado Health Symposium: “Hotspotting” in Colorado

On August 2, 2012 By

The goal of this year’s Colorado Health Symposium was to address issues related to equity in access to health care. Yesterday, we heard from Dr. Jeff Brenner, who pioneered so-called hotspot research and looked into the relationship between zip codes and health care. Today, we’ll hear a conversation between Carol McKinley of Continue Reading →

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Colorado Health Symposium: Zip Codes and Health Care

On August 1, 2012 By

The goal of this year’s Colorado Health Symposium was to address issues related to equity in access to health care. The conference was held last week in Keystone, and brought together hundreds of health care professionals and policy makers from Colorado and beyond. Colorado Public News was there, and this week we’re bringing you [...]

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Hank Cardello

Colorado Health Symposium: The Intersection of Business and Obesity

On July 31, 2012 By

The goal of this year’s Colorado Health Symposium was to address issues related to equity in access to health care. The conference was held last week in Keystone, and brought together hundreds of health care professionals and policy makers from Colorado and beyond. Colorado Public News was there, and this week we’re [...]

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Urban Oil and Gas Wells Pop Up, but Number of Permits Decreases

On July 17, 2012 By

Oil and gas wells have moved into urban and highly populated areas of Colorado – in some cases literally bumping up against residential back yards. Yet the number of permits being issued by the state actually has dropped in half over the past several years.

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Round-Up: Waldo Canyon Fire 70% contained; Fire ban in effect; Mitigation tax break

On July 3, 2012 By

The Waldo Canyon Fire is 70% contained. This morning, Colorado Springs Fire Chief Rich Brown said that number is higher for the city.

I’m pleased to announce this morning that the city of Colorado Springs boundaries as they relate to the Waldo Canyon Fire are 100% contained, it’s great news. I also want to [...]

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Round-Up: Teller County to get election observers; First Lady Michelle Obama stumps in CO

On June 20, 2012 By

Secretary of State Scott Gessler says Teller County needs more help to ensure a fair election in next week’s primary…First lady Michelle Obama campaigned for her husband in front a crowd of 2,800 community members today at Arapahoe High School in Centennial before heading south to Pueblo.

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Round-Up: More prison layoffs in Southern Colorado; ‘Death Panel’ myth persists

On June 15, 2012 By

Another round of layoffs has hit prisons in southern Colorado, this time coming from the private company Corrections Corporation of America, the Pueblo Chieftain reports…and, the Supreme Court is set any day now to rule on the constitutionality of the Obama administration’s health care legislation. Yet a poll shows about a third of Americans are worrying about a piece of the bill that isn’t even there.

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‘Death Panel’ Myth Persists

On June 15, 2012 By

As the Supreme Court is about to rule on the constitutionality of the health care law, one-third of Americans are worrying about a part of the legislation that isn’t there…In Colorado, though, none of the state’s four Republicans in Congress say the law provides for a board of bureaucrats who would decide who will live or die.

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Many Colorado Hospitals Miss Top Grade for Patient Safety

On June 6, 2012 By

Prompted by 180,000 unnecessary deaths per year in U.S. hospitals, a new listing of hospital safety scores finds most of the 33 rated in Colorado don’t make the top grade.

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Medical Costs Contribute to Bankruptcy

On June 6, 2012 By

An increasing number of Coloradans are filing for bankruptcy in the wake of high medical costs. One Harvard study shows that medical-related problems contribute to as many as 60 percent of bankruptcies nationwide.

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Wendell Potter, a nationally known author and former insurance executive-turned-industry critic, has visited Colorado twice in recent weeks. Credit: Ann Imse/Colorado Public News

More Health Insurance Doesn’t Cover Needs

On May 14, 2012 By

The Colorado Health Access Survey finds more than 600,000 Coloradans have insurance they know won’t pay enough. When an unexpected illness hits, the coverage falls short. Carol McKinley of Colorado Public News found one health care advocate who has taken to the road to warn even more Americans to be sure they understand exactly what their policies won’t cover.

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Lisa Casaus, with her son, Gabriel Sanchez, learns tips on good dental hygiene from Children’s Hospital dental hygienist Valerie Haustein. Photo Credit: Robert D. Tonsing/Colorado Public News

Dentists Urge Visits to Begin at First Tooth

On May 11, 2012 By

Top dental associations are recommending babies have their first visit to the dentist’s office when they get their first tooth. Health experts say it can help stave off years of cavities and painful dental work. Carol McKinley of Colorado Public News visited the Children’s Hospital of Colorado in Denver and has this report.

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Poorest will No Longer Pay Highest Price at Hospitals

On May 8, 2012 By

Hickenlooper signs assistance bill into law: Starting Aug. 8, Colorado hospitals will no longer be allowed to charge their highest prices to the poorest, uninsured patients. A bill banning the widespread practice was signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper Monday afternoon.

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Round-Up: Draft Environmental Assessment released on proposed AF training area; Rural union looks to co-op model for health insurance

On April 30, 2012 By

The Air Force says a proposed expansion of a flight training area in eastern Colorado and western Kansas would have no significant environmental impacts…The costs of health insurance have become so high in Colorado’s rural areas that the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union says many farmers and ranchers carry policies that only cover them in case of a dire emergency. As a result, the organization is using a familiar business model and forming a healthcare co-op.

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News

CEO Cook To Defend Apple Before Senate Committee Hearing
May 21, 2013 | NPR · Apple is paying billions of dollars less than it should in U.S. taxes each year, according to a report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The report says Apple avoids billions in tax payments mainly by shifting profits to three subsidiary companies in Ireland.
 

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The Doors’ Keyboard Counterpoint Goes Silent: Remembering Ray Manzarek
May 21, 2013 | NPR · Ray Manzarek, whose keyboard was a trademark of The Doors sound, died at the age of 74 on Monday.
 

Courtesy of the Brownsville Community Health Center
Texas Medicaid Debate Complicated By Politics And Poverty
May 21, 2013 | KHN · In Texas, it may be politically unwise to cross the governor, but some politicians and advocates in the poor Rio Grande Valley are starting to speak out in support of expanding Medicaid. Governor Perry opposes all parts of Obamacare.
 

Arts & Life

After Crashing In Canadian ‘Abyss,’ Four Men Fight To Survive
May 21, 2013 | NPR · On an icy night in 1984, a commuter plane crashed in the wilderness. Six passengers died, but four survived: the pilot, a politician, a policeman and a prisoner. Carol Shaben’s Into The Abyss describes their fight to make it through that frigid night alive.
 

Courtside Chemistry: How NBA’s Phil Jackson Won ‘Eleven Rings’
May 21, 2013 | NPR · Jackson is famous for his philosophical take on basketball and for the many stars he led to championship triumphs. He taught his players yoga and gave them assigned reading — but also pushed them to intensely practice fundamental skills. His new book looks back on a legendary coaching career.
 

UnCabaret
At L.A.’s UnCabaret, 25 Years Of Letting It All Hang Out
May 20, 2013 | NPR · Launched as an alternative to the stale stylings of the ’80s stand-up circuit, Beth Lapides’ event bills itself as a venue for “idiosyncratic, conversational comedy.” It’s helped establish careers for performers from Kathy Griffin to Randy and Jason Sklar.
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Music

Getty Images
The Doors’ Keyboard Counterpoint Goes Silent: Remembering Ray Manzarek
May 21, 2013 | NPR · Ray Manzarek, whose keyboard was a trademark of The Doors sound, died at the age of 74 on Monday.
 

Getty Images
Ray Manzarek, Founding Member Of The Doors, Dies
May 20, 2013 | NPR · The keyboardist co-founded the band after meeting Jim Morrison in California. The Doors went on to become one of the most successful rock ‘n’ roll acts of the 1960s. Manzarek, 74, died in Germany after a long battle with bile duct cancer.
 

Courtesy of the artist
Aesop Rock And Kimya Dawson Showcase Their Strengths
May 20, 2013 | NPR · As The Uncluded, the two cancel each other’s weaknesses — Dawson gains heft, while Aesop Rock lightens up. Critic Robert Christgau says the collaborative album is almost like two halves of a whole.
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