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• Boston victims face huge bills; donations pour in

  April 25, 2013 4:24 PM

  Cost of amputating a leg? At least $20,000. Cost of an artificial leg? More than $50,000 for the most high-tech models. Cost of an amputee's rehab? Often tens of thousands of dollars more. These are just a fraction of the medical expenses victims of the Boston Marathon bombing will face.... more »

• More men turn to nursing but stereotypes remain

  March 9, 2013 1:43 PM

  IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Male nurse Todd Ingram couldn't bring himself to finish the movie "Meet the Parents." Ingram said he made it to the point in the movie when a group of men erupted into laughter upon learning Ben Stiller's character's profession: a male nurse. They assumed he... more »

• Govt: $4.2B recovered in probing health care fraud

  February 11, 2013 11:31 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The government says it recovered almost $8 for each dollar it spent investigating health care fraud over the past three years, including a record $4.2 billion last year. The $7.90 average return on investment is the highest in the 16-year history of the Health Care Fraud and... more »

• Unusual respite from surging health care costs

  January 7, 2013 4:24 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans kept health care spending in check for three years in a row, the government reported Monday, an unusual respite that could linger if the economy stays soft or fade like a mirage if job growth comes roaring back. The nation's health care tab stood at $2.7... more »

• Former President George H.W. Bush in intensive care

  December 26, 2012 6:51 PM

  HOUSTON (AP) - A spokesman says former President George H.W. Bush is in the intensive care unit at a Houston hospital. Bush's spokesman, Jim McGrath, said Wednesday evening that the former president has been in the ICU at Methodist Hospital since Sunday. No details were immediately provided. But earlier Wednesday,... more »

• Disaster ready child-care

  August 27, 2012 4:21 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado State University is leading a study on whether child-care centers in the state are prepared for disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday it is funding the two-year study with a $30,000 grant. FEMA says it's the first of its kind in the nation. Lori... more »

• Welfare recipients could have to take blood test to receive benefits

  February 9, 2012 7:05 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado lawmakers are considering making welfare recipients take a drug test before receiving benefits. The proposal sponsored by Republican Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg is getting its first hearing in a House committee Thursday. House Bill 1046 would require applicants of the Colorado Works Temporary Assistance for Needy... more »

• Students collect donations for surrendered newborns

  February 9, 2011 12:29 PM

  Three Pueblo students are asking for donations that would help newborns who are legally surrendered after birth. They're collecting blankets, pacifiers and other unopened baby items to make care packages for each fire station in Pueblo. Under the Safe Haven law, a mother can give her infant to a... more »

• Number of fat people in US to grow, report says

  September 27, 2010 9:39 AM

  Citizens of the world's richest countries are getting fatter and fatter and the United States is leading the charge, an organization of leading economies said Thursday in its first ever obesity forecast. Three out of four Americans will be overweight or obese by 2020, and disease rates and health... more »

• Poverty, demand for services climb higher

  September 23, 2010 5:37 PM

  A charity group in Pueblo says more people are struggling to put food on the table. This may not come as a surprise. Last week, the U.S. Census says the number of Americans living in poverty has jumped to its highest level in more than half a century. Marlene Saiz... more »

• Patient care review to take place at Mental Health Institute

  September 20, 2010 8:52 PM

  The Department of Human Services has developed a plan to review operations at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHIP). The four-phase plan will focus on patient care and treatment. The first three phases will go into effect immediately. Phase I: Comprehensive internal review of recent critical incidents... more »

• States continue legal battle against health care law

  August 6, 2010 8:19 AM

  Twenty states and the nation's most influential small business lobby are about to respond to the federal government's attempt to dismiss their lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. The states, the National Federation of Independent Business and several individual taxpayers will file their response Friday. A key... more »

• Fort Carson opening 2 child development centers

  August 3, 2010 8:56 AM

  Fort Carson is officially opening two new child development centers that can care for more than 350 children. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for today. The post's deputy commander, Brig. Gen. James Pasquarette, and the garrison commander, Col. Robert F. McLaughlin, will attend. The centers cost a total... more »

• Colorado to offer coverage to uninsured

  July 2, 2010 11:02 AM

  Coloradans who have been denied health insurance because they have pre-existing conditions will be able to take advantage of a new state insurance plan. Temporary coverage will become available starting Tuesday. It will be phased out in 2014 when federal health care legislation will begin barring insurance companies from rejecting... more »

• Salons chapped by tanning tax

  June 30, 2010 5:18 PM

  A tax on tanning goes into effect Thursday, July 1. Indoor tanners, who spend from $5 to $30 per session to get that bronze look, will now have to chip in another 10 percent to pay for health care. "These are not people who can afford an extra... more »

• ACS to hire 150 in Colorado Springs

  June 8, 2010 1:41 PM

  Affiliated Computer Services, A Xerox Company, is adding 150 new positions at its Colorado Springs customer care center. Positions are customer care agents, managers, supervisors and trainers and are needed to accommodate new business. ACS is looking for a variety of skill sets including bilingual employees, those able to... more »

• Anthem Blue Cross postponing rate hike again

  April 24, 2010 10:11 AM

  Anthem Blue Cross has again put a planned rate hike on hold. The Los Angeles-based health insurance company said this week that policyholders will not see a rate change beginning May 1. A spokeswoman for Anthem's parent, Wellpoint Inc., Kristin Binns, told the Los Angeles Times in a story Friday... more »

• Some day care workers too quick to send kids home

  April 19, 2010 11:51 AM

  A study of day care workers in Wisconsin found a tendency to send kids home who aren't that sick. The study, published online in the journal Pediatrics, surveyed child care directors about how they would respond to certain, mild symptoms. Those with the most experience were less likely to overreact.... more »

• New health care agency open in Pueblo

  April 16, 2010 11:31 AM

  Here's what I'm working on today. Total Longterm Care is now open in Pueblo. The agency helps elderly people who need long term health care. What's unique about them, is that they offer home health care care and transportation services, giving seniors an alternative to living in nursing homes. ... more »

• Study: Obese people receive just as good as care, if not better

  April 6, 2010 12:26 PM

  Surveys of physicians and other health care professionals have shown a certain stigma towards overweight and obese patients. Some of these patients say they feel that bias, but does it affect the care they receive? A new study shows when it comes to several common outpatient medical procedures, overweight... more »

• Study: Overweight people receive just as good care

  April 6, 2010 12:14 PM

  Surveys of physicians and other health care professionals have shown a certain stigma towards overweight and obese patients. Some of these patients say they feel that bias, but does it affect the care they receive? A new study shows when it comes to several common outpatient medical procedures, overweight... more »

• Health reform to cover hefty charity care expenses

  March 26, 2010 7:46 PM

  The health care reform is suppose to save hospitals tens of millions of dollars each year. Right now, the major hospitals in Southern Colorado treat patients, even if they don't have insurance and it's running up a big tab. The cost for treating the uninsured and under insured is... more »

• UPDATE: How will health care reform impact hospitals?

  March 26, 2010 3:47 PM

  I just got back from the field. Here's what I found out. The new health care legislation could save hospitals tens of millions of dollars. In 2014, a mandate will kick in, requiring every American be insured. Right now the major hospitals in Southern Colorado treat patients, even if they... more »

• How will health care reform impact hospitals?

  March 26, 2010 11:52 AM

  Today I'm working on a story about how the new federal health care legislation will impact hospitals. In 2014, a mandate will kick in, requiring every American be insured. Right now, hospitals spend millions of dollars a year treating people who don't have insurance. For example, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center... more »

• President Obama pushes health care in Ohio

  March 15, 2010 1:57 PM

  President Barack Obama is delivering a new appeal to Congress on health care - "we need courage." Addressing a crowd in Ohio on Monday, Obama was briefly interrupted by a woman who shouted, "We need courage." He quickly adopted the line and repeated it. Obama had used his speech... more »

• Health Care Summit update

  February 25, 2010 11:59 AM

  A consensus on how to rein in spiraling health care costs seems to be emerging at President Barack Obama's health care summit. Obama agreed with assertions by Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn that such waste and abuse now account for up to a third of the cost of entitlement... more »

• Colorado Senator favors reconciliation on health care

  February 16, 2010 7:37 PM

  Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) has written a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, asking him to push forward with health care reform legislation using budget reconciliation rules. "Too many people in Washington believe that just saying you are for health care reform is a substitute for actually getting... more »

• Obama says he's not giving up on health reform

  February 6, 2010 1:03 PM

  President Barack Obama says he's committed to pushing through a health care overhaul and isn't giving up. Obama spoke to party activists Saturday at the winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee. He says he knows the debate over fixing the health care system has been difficult and the easiest... more »

• Sweet deal for Louisiana in Health Bill

  February 4, 2010 1:43 PM

  Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana is defending a special deal in the health care bill for the federal government to pick up more of the cost of a Medicaid expansion in her state. She made the argument Thursday in a defiant speech on the Senate floor. The... more »

• Clipping coupons to help those in need

  February 2, 2010 7:27 PM

  A group of women in Pueblo is clipping coupons to help those in need. Every Tuesday the women volunteer at the Senior Resource Development Agency and clip coupons for three hours. They give the coupons to seniors at SRDA. In addition, people with a low income can get them at... more »

• Democrats to begin discussing smaller health bill

  January 21, 2010 10:32 AM

  President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies are conceding that they may have to accept a less ambitious health overhaul. That's after a Republican won Tuesday's special Senate election in Massachusetts, ending the Democratic caucus' 60-vote majority. Officials say a more modest health care bill could focus on curbing insurance... more »

• "Care Day:" Free Dental Care

  December 24, 2009 12:59 AM

  In the spirit of giving this holiday season, Governor Ritter has proclaimed December 24th "Care Day." It is part of a commitment to expand dental care in Colorado. You can go to any Comfort Dental office in Colorado Springs, Monument or Pueblo to receive free dental care from 7:30 a.m... more »

• Americans divided on health care reform

  December 15, 2009 6:33 PM

  Opponents of President Obama's health care reform bill protested across the nation Tuesday, including in Southern Colorado. Rallies were held in both Colorado Springs and Pueblo. About 50 people showed up to each one. The events were called "Code Red" rallies. They were a grassroots movement to make one final... more »

• Obama-backed health bill gains ground

  October 2, 2009 9:51 AM

  Health care legislation backed by President Barack Obama has all but cleared a major hurdle in the Senate. Democratic liberals and moderates on the Senate Finance Committee closed ranks early this morning behind the most sweeping set of changes in a half-century. Obama is hailing the development as a milestone,... more »

• Health insurance premiums rose modestly in 2009

  September 15, 2009 12:29 PM

  Researchers say the cost of employer-sponsored health insurance is rising modestly again this year but bigger increases may lie over the horizon. The average annual premium for employer-sponsored family health coverage rose 5 percent in 2009 to more than $13,000, mirroring last year's increase. Single coverage costs were nearly $5,000... more »

• Doctors campaign in Denver for reform

  September 14, 2009 1:21 PM

  A coalition of doctors from Oregon is campaign for a single-payer health care system at the Colorado state Capitol. The doctors are holding a rally Monday to express their indignation over the lack of universal health care. The doctors are being joined by local supporters, including state lawmakers and Colorado... more »

• Obama to deliver health care address to Congress

  September 2, 2009 4:47 PM

  President Barack Obama has set a major address on health care for Sept. 9 before Congress. The speech will come a day after lawmakers return from an August recess in which critics of Obama's health proposals have dominated many public forums. Some Democrats feel Obama has been too vague... more »