News Clips
Colorado’s new parity law for mental health hits a Medicaid snag
By: Evan Wyloge
A new Colorado law that requires insurers to reimburse behavioral health care providers for mental conditions on par with compensation for physical conditions left a gap that advocates fear will make it harder for the state’s poorest and most complicated patients on Medicaid to get optimal care.
The sweeping overhaul, signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis last year, was meant to create parity in care for the mentally ill, and supporters say it significantly strengthened coverage.
Read the full article in The Gazette
SPECIAL REPORT: A look at Miami-Dade’s vaunted quest to decriminalize mental illness
December 29, 2019
By: Jakob Rodgers
MIAMI — Justin Volpe could hardly believe his eyes.
Strung out and delusional, gripped by a crippling psychosis, Volpe questioned if what he was seeing was real — was a fellow inmate in a Miami-area jail being bludgeoned by jail guards to within a whisper of his life?
But he had a hunch.
Read the full article in The Gazette
Legislative Preview | Mental health advocates assess gains, see ‘a long way to go’
December. 27, 2019
By: Ernest Luning
After steering numerous pieces of landmark legislation into law in the 2019 session, Colorado’s mental health care advocates are looking to close gaps in coverage and addr...........
Read the full article in Colorado Politics
Coloradans concerned over impact of Obamacare ruling
December 19, 2019
By: Joey Bunch
Holding a sign saying "We Love ObamaCare" supporters of health care reform rally in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Tuesday, March 27, 2012, as the court continued hearing arguments on the health care law signed by President Barack Obama. Go ahead, call it Obamacare. Obamaís re-election campaign has lifted an unofficial ban on using the oppositionís derisive term for his health care law. Democratic activists have been chanting, "We love Obamacare," in front of the Supreme Court. And the campaign is selling T-shirts ...
As the teen mental health epidemic escalates, emergency rooms get innovative and a for-profit hospital sees an opening
December 17, 2019
By: Jennifer Brown
Originally appeared in The Colorado Sun
A statewide review is attempting to pinpoint the gaps in care as one study finds kids go out of network up to 7 times more often for mental health care.
Colorado for decades has struggled with a shortage of mental health treatment options, but care for one age group in particular is most dire: teenagers.
The adolescent mental health epidemic is escalating — suicide is now the leading cause of death for Colorado teens — and the state’s emergency departments are ...
Lawmakers to debate if Coloradans in a mental health crisis should be charged with a felony if they hit police
December 17, 2019
By: Joe St. George
Originally appeared in Fox31
DENVER -- Colorado lawmakers will debate whether to defelonize a longstanding law that allows a person to be charged with a felony if they strike a police officer, correctional officer, EMT, firefighter, nurse or doctor during a mental health crisis.
Mental Health Colorado is pushing for a change in the statute believing someone shouldn't be put in jail for simply seeking health.
"Those enhanced charges have poor outcomes," Vincent Atchity with Mental Health Colorado said.
"People can ...
Mental Health Colorado promotes a “Miami Model” for decriminalizing mental illness
December 14, 2019
Originally appeared in My Prime Time News
Diversion initiative allowed Miami to close a jail, save taxpayers millions, and get care to those in need ~
DENVER — Mental Health Colorado, the state’s leading mental health advocacy organization, is looking at Miami as a model for keeping individuals with mental illnesses out of jail so they can get the care they need. Under its diversion initiative, Miami-Dade County closed a jail facility—saving taxpayers $12 million per year—and dramatically reduced the number of shootings and injuries of people ...
Local voters could hold key in Colorado’s mental health crisis
December 14, 2019
Originally appeared in The Gazette
By: Lance Benzel
LARIMER COUNTY • Standing in tall grass off a country road, Commissioner Steve Johnson shows where voters have cleared the way for a $25 million mental health center, billed by its supporters as a regional leap in the statewide battle for improved care.
Three years ago, the reforms nearly died in a vacant lot, cut down at the polls in this northern Colorado county of 350,000 residents.
Commissioner Steve Johnson stands at the site in October where voters have ...
Annual campaign collects socks for homeless
December 10, 2019
Originally appeared in the Centennial Citizen
Socks are the least donated item to homeless shelters, yet they are vital to helping homeless people stay dry, warm and free from disease.
According to a news release, charities often cannot accept used socks for sanitary reasons, and buying new socks doesn’t always seem apparent to those making donations. However, as the cold sets in, the need is greater.
Footprints to Recovery is kicking off its third annual Socks of Love campaign, with the hope of collecting 10,000 pairs of socks nationally. The ...
Donate today for Colorado Gives
December 10, 2019
Originally appeared in The Colorado Springs Business Journal
Today is Colorado Gives Day, and organizers hope to top last year’s $35.3 million in donations.
Colorado Gives Day was created to increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving. The inaugural Colorado Gives Day in 2010 generated more than $8.4 million for 529 local charities.
Every dollar donated this year is increased through a $1.5 million Incentive Fund. Every nonprofit receiving a donation on Colorado Gives Day will receive a portion of the fund.
At the Colorado ...
