Declaring a fiscal emergency, Colorado delays Medicaid payments to doctors and clinics

Good morning. Here's a look at news reports from around the state on issues of interest to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy for Thursday, June 17, 2010. Listing does not imply endorsement of the content.

HEALTH POLICY
The Denver Post: Colorado delays Medicaid payments
Temporarily short on money, Colorado has declared a fiscal emergency and delayed payments to doctors and clinics taking care of the state's neediest patients.

Huffington Post Denver: Health Care Reform Repeal Less Popular In Colorado Than Nationally: Rasmussen
A new survey from Rasmussen shows 53% of Coloradans support a repeal of the federal health care reform law passed in March. That's 5 points lower than the national average, and 8 points lower than last month, when Rasmussen asked likely voters the same question.

Craig Daily Press: Moffat County awarded funds for rural health care
In a recent round of rural health care grants, Moffat County institutions received more than $90,000 in state funds, the most awarded to any Colorado county.


GENERAL
Denver Post editorial: Issue backers thumbing noses at ballot process
By not cooperating with officials about who is behind three measures, Douglas Bruce and gang threaten vital principles.


FISCAL POLICY
Colorado Springs Gazette: Budget cuts mean school bus fees in Woodland Park
Students in Woodland Park School District RE-2 will pay $50 to ride a school bus in the coming school year.

Colorado Springs Business Journal: Colorado state budget might face more cuts
Colorado might face still more budget cuts if the federal government doesn’t come through with additional money for Medicaid.

Fort Collins Coloradoan editorial: Voters need details to decide on tax increase
The Fort Collins City Council made the correct decision Tuesday in deciding to let city voters decide in November whether to increase the sales tax.

Grand Junction Sentinel: Legislator wants to ax benefits for part-timers
Rep. Laura Bradford is calling on the state to end its practice of offering benefits to part-time workers. The Collbran Republican said the practice isn’t done in the private sector and that the state may be wasting taxpayers’ money by offering it.