During Gov. Jared Polis’ 2022 State of the State address Thursday, a major focus during his speech was saving Coloradans money and further saving money in health care costs.
“If it isn’t clear, saving Coloradans money and keeping our state affordable is my top priority legislative session,” Polis said. “And one of the biggest areas to save people money is health care.”
As part of savings in general and health costs, Polis is proposing further reduction of fees such as the unemployment insurance premium and the Paid Family and Medical Leave premium, which he says would result in hundreds of millions in savings for businesses and workers.
“Thanks to the efforts of Representative McCluskie, Representative Rich, Senator Donovan, Senator Rankin, we created a reinsurance program which has successfully reduced health premiums on the individual market by 24% average, saving Coloradans an average of $1,400 per year, and an average of $2,450 per year on the Western Slope, which has been one of the highest-cost markets, Polis said.
Polis also thanked state Rep. Dylan Roberts for being behind the effort to cap “the skyrocketing cost of insulin” at $100 per month.
During the beginning of Polis’ governorship, he and his administration formed the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care. During State of the State he boasted it has been a collaboration with legislators and health care providers resulting in nation-leading efforts to reduce health-care costs.
Contrary To District Wishes, Adams 14 Will Return To In-Person Learning Next Week
Adams County 14 school officials tell CBS4 that contrary to the latest health guidance and school administration wishes, the school district will return to in-person learning following Martin Luther King Jr. Day, following a directive late Thursday by the district’s state-mandated private management company, MGT Consulting, LLC.
Adams 14 officials say after several meetings Thursday, school administrators determined the best course of action would be to remain in virtual learning for another week, considering Adams County COVID-19 case numbers and transmission rates remain high.
However, school officials tell CBS4 the district’s private management company, MGT, is directing the district to go back in person, without much explanation.
The directive comes just two days after the school board voted to fire MGT, effective in April.
“It is disappointing at the least, and deeply unsettling at worst, particularly for our families,” said Dr. Robert Lundin, Adams 14 Executive Director of Communication. “They look to us to be the voice of guidance and security for their children, as well as our teachers, knowing they’re going to work in a place where we’re thoughtful stewards of their wellbeing.”
In 2018, Colorado mandated MGT to run the district following consistently low student performance scores. After voting to terminate its contract with MGT Tuesday night, the Adams 14 School Board said it will work with the state to hire a new private management company to help get student performance up to par.
CBS4 has reached out to MGT for a comment about the in-person learning decision, but has not yet received a response.
