The Colorado Health Institute conducted an in-depth analysis of health care access across the state and its provinces, revealing that 93.5% of Colorado residents had health insurance coverage in 2017. In Pitkin County, 89.8% of the population was insured, mirroring the coverage rates in neighboring Eagle, Garfield, and Summit counties. Meanwhile, Routt County had a slightly lower coverage rate at 86.9%.
Evaluating Health Care Access
This study, the third of its kind by the institute, aims to help communities better understand their health care challenges. The Colorado Access to Care Index, which tracks health care access over time, assigned the state an average score of 8.0 on a 10-point scale. Boulder and Douglas counties led with the highest scores, each receiving 8.3 marks.
A notable legislative effort, House Bill 1392, the Individual Health Insurance Market Stabilization Act, aimed to stabilize individual market health plans through reinsurance.
Las Vegas Entrepreneurs Innovate in Health Care Technology
Two Las Vegas entrepreneurs—one a physician and the other a former gaming industry executive—are leveraging technology in unique ways to enhance health care services.
Tim Stanley, CEO and founder of Carepoynt, highlighted these efforts during the 2018 Healthcare Technology Conference held on April 26, 2018, in Las Vegas. He emphasized the increasing number of local partnerships contributing to advancements in health care technology.
Addressing Health Care Challenges in Ontario
As Ontario's population grows in both size and age, the demand for health care services continues to rise. Increasing patient utilization of health care systems underscores the necessity for strategic planning.
Current policies have restricted new family doctors from joining capitation models, such as family health teams and organizations, except in designated rural areas. This limitation removes key incentives for new medical graduates to establish fresh practices.
To drive meaningful and sustainable change, real leadership is required. Collaboration with doctors and health care providers is essential to developing innovative and effective solutions that address the evolving needs of health care in Ontario.