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Ritter Signs Healthcare Reform Bill
Thedenverchannel,com ^ | 4/21/09 | Lane Lyon

Posted on 04/22/2009 9:25:39 AM PDT by Nachum

DENVER -- Tens of thousands of uninsured patients could get hospital care under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Bill Ritter.

The new law generates funds through hospital provider fees and federal matching dollars to cover the cost of caring for uninsured patients.

Supporters said the measure will keep health care costs down and reduce the number of uninsured people seeking care in emergency rooms because they can go to their own doctor.

(Excerpt) Read more at thedenverchannel.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; US: Colorado
KEYWORDS: healthcare; reform; ritter; signs
Taxing our way to prosperity.
1 posted on 04/22/2009 9:25:39 AM PDT by Nachum
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To: Nachum

Mucho Gratias.


2 posted on 04/22/2009 9:27:18 AM PDT by Radl (rtr)
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To: Radl

I think you might mean, “Mucho Gratis”...


3 posted on 04/22/2009 9:28:05 AM PDT by Nachum (the complete list at www.nachumlist.com)
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To: Nachum

So how long until Colorado is as bankrupt as California is?


4 posted on 04/22/2009 9:33:51 AM PDT by chris_bdba
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To: Nachum
"reduce the number of uninsured people seeking care in emergency rooms because they can go to their own doctor."

Except that; they won't go to their own doctor. They will still go to emergency rooms.

Why, you ask?

Because: It's what they already do, its convenient, you don't have to wait until morning to call for an appointment, it doesn't cost them anything, they don't have to pay for it, a lot of them are happy to scam the system (It's a power-trip thing), and did I mention (?) - it's what they already do.

5 posted on 04/22/2009 9:38:59 AM PDT by ChicagahAl (Don't blame me. I voted for Sarah.)
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To: Nachum

Ritter said there will be no increased cost to taxpayers, but opponents said no one knows how much the fees would cost or who would pay the estimated $600 million a year.

well if i am a patient then odds are i am a taxpayer so the cost will come from me ultimatly won’t it...

either the healthcare providers are going to somehow pass this to the people that can pay or the insurance companies and the insurance companies will just raise premiums...


6 posted on 04/22/2009 9:51:40 AM PDT by tatsinfla
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To: Nachum
Could someone explain this thinking to me???

The article says "Supporters said the Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act will allow the state to collect $600 million a year through a provider fee,"

Further on it says: "The bill is very clear that hospitals cannot bill this out . . ."

Then goes on to say: "For those who have insurance, they should be able to save money, and insurance premiums should either stop rising or even go down because the hospitals will not be transferring uncompensated care to those who are paying for care,"

The only way the hospitals can pay the fee is from funds taken by those who pay for care but they can't pass along the fee to those who pay for care and thus insurance premiums should either stop rising or even go down???
7 posted on 04/22/2009 10:07:48 AM PDT by Bloodclot
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To: Radl

Tens of thousands of illegals agree.


8 posted on 04/22/2009 10:47:43 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: Bloodclot

Exactly what is a provider fee?


9 posted on 04/22/2009 10:54:28 AM PDT by pepperdog (The world has gone crazy.)
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To: Bloodclot

So instead of getting the money back by raising costs for the insured, they will have to pay up front for the uninsured out of their already dwindling assets? More Californication here. I wonder when the first hospitals will start laying off and closing.


10 posted on 04/22/2009 11:01:53 AM PDT by mollynme (cogito, ergo freepum)
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To: pepperdog
Exactly what is a provider fee?

It's a fee paid by the hospital to the state.
11 posted on 04/22/2009 11:19:47 AM PDT by Bloodclot
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To: Bloodclot

That’s ridiculous! The hospitals already provide free service via the emergency rooms, is the government insane? Don’t bother to answer, I realized I had just asked a crazy question myself, of course they are. Every day it seems things get nuttier. There must be a point at which everything just explodes and that is what I fear.


12 posted on 04/22/2009 1:54:20 PM PDT by pepperdog (The world has gone crazy.)
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