DENVER, CO – Los centros comunitarios de salud están animados por la legislación propuesta para restaurar el fondeo de programas federales clave, incluyendo el Programa de Seguro de la Salud de los Niños (Children’s Health Insurance Program, CHIP) que expiró el sábado pasado.

Pero ayer (jueves) surgieron nuevos retos, cuando el Congreso de los Estados Unidos aprobó un presupuesto que le allana el camino a importantes recortes a los impuestos, los cuales podrían poner en riesgo los ingresos de Medicare y Medicaid.

El nuevo presupuesto aprobado ayer por el Congreso de los Estados Unidos podría añadir el insulto al daño que se le ha hecho a los prestadores de servicios de salud.

Los críticos dicen que la medida de reducción de impuestos ¬ que beneficia sobre todo a las corporaciones grandes y ricas – necesitaría recortes por más de 470 billones de dólares a Medicare, y al menos un trillón de dólares de recortes a Medicaid, programas que son la red de salvación para la salud de la nación. Esto llega cuando el Congreso además ha permitido que expire el fondeo de programas críticos de salud.

Polly Anderson, vice presidenta de estrategia y financiamiento en la Red Comunitaria de la Salud de Colorado, dice que los centros de salud de Colorado y de todo el país “se han caído por el acantilado.”

“Le llamamos el acantilado de los fondos para cuidados primarios porque 7 por ciento del fondeo federal para centros de salud, el programa CHIP, y el Núcleo de Servicios Nacionales de Salud expiraron todos el 30 de septiembre por la incapacidad del Congreso para actuar.”

Anderson dice que las reservas de fondos para el programa CHIP podrían durar hasta enero, pero destaca que algunos estados posiblemente no pudieran cubrir a las mujeres embarazadas y a los niños en cosa de semanas.

Una medida copatrocinada por ambos senadores de Colorado para fondear el CHIP pasaron un comité el miércoles. Y una iniciativa para financiar centros de salud comunitaria que fue presentada en el Congreso es co-patrocinada por todos los miembros de la delegación de Colorado, salvo uno.

Anderson dice que la crisis de fondos no se trata sólo de la viabilidad de los centros de salud y los programas federales; se trata de la salud de las comunidades a las que sirven los programas.

“Así que hablamos de niños y personas que casi nunca ganan suficiente para pagar un seguro de salud. Y realmente son las familias trabajadoras de Colorado y la gente trabajadora quienes serán impactados más dramáticamente si no se reautorizan esos programas.”

Hace notar que unos 75 mil niños y al menos 80 mujeres embarazadas de Colorado podrían verse afectados si el Congreso no puede aprobar la legislación que incluye fondos para el CHIP.

Más del 90 por ciento de los pacientes que usan los centros de salud comunitaria para cuidados preventivos, servicios de la vista y dentales, y más, viven en o por debajo del 200 por ciento del nivel federal de pobreza.


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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.