Medicare

Health-care fraud is big business. What are the feds doing about it?

Want old-timey food? Black-Eyed Pea delivers that and old-timers, too

Every once in a while you really want a taste of some old-fashioned, old-time favorites (that someone else has to cook, and then clean up after) like pot roast, meatloaf, mashed potatoes made with actual potatoes, fried corn and squash casserole, chicken-fried everything...and even a nice plate of f ... More >>

Mara Wiles on her return to comedy following a kidney transplant

Comedian Mara Wiles hasn't had it easy the last few years. After establishing herself as an intelligently goofy performer on the local comedy scene, she was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening kidney disorder that, to say the least, interrupted her ascending career as a standup. And Denver ... More >>

Obama haters signing Colorado-must-secede petition should be deported, says new petition

On Monday, we reported that after only two days on WhiteHouse.gov, a Colorado petition to secede from the United States already had more than 3,000 signatures -- part of an odd post-election craze that now includes all fifty states. But Obama-haters aren't the only ones speaking out. WhiteHouse.gov ... More >>

Your vote doesn't matter: Why there are better things to do on election day

Editor's note: Election day is almost here, and if you haven't voted early, you have decisions ahead of you -- including whether to vote at all, according to Westword contributor Josiah Hesse. Disagree? Chris Utterback takes the opposite position in "Your vote matters: Why you should head to the pol ... More >>

Gary Johnson wants to "shout from the rooftops" that Colorado can change the world

Election day is rapidly approaching and it couldn't be clearer in Colorado where residents are bombarded with nonstop ads and weekly traffic jams due to Obama and Romney rallies. But those two aren't the only presidential candidates showing the state some love. Gary Johnson, the Libertarian pick, st ... More >>

If Mitt Romney won't tell you about these tax loopholes, we will

Debate 2012: Romney and Obama attack, Jim Lehrer loses control -- the media room view

President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney squared off inside the University of Denver's Magness Arena last night, once again bringing the national spotlight to the Mile High City -- as the two candidates discussed the economy and the role of government in a surprisingly un ... More >>

Where's Mike Coffman? website targets congressman -- and his campaign hits back

Where's Mike Coffman? That's the question raised by a new site called Wheresmikecoffman.com, which accuses the reelection-seeking Republican congressman of being unresponsive to voters. In response, Coffman's spokesman says the politician has been available at all kinds of public events -- and deno ... More >>

A gonzo guide to the Republican National Convention

Paul Ryan private Denver fundraiser, Lakewood rally more proof of swing state status

Further underscoring the importance of Colorado as a key swing state in the presidential election, Paul Ryan, the newly named Republican vice presidential candidate, is holding events in metro Denver tonight and tomorrow -- just two days after Mitt Romney announced his running mate. Ryan began his ... More >>

Supreme Court health care ruling: Advocates praise it, tout Colorado reforms

Big news today for Barack Obama and, you know, tens of millions of Americans across the country: The Supreme Court of the United States has finally issued its ruling on the Affordable Care Act, essentially deciding to keep most of it intact. And advocates in Colorado are cheering the news, saying it ... More >>

Gorinto lives on tonight with a Mission Supports fundraiser

When we last spoke with Corey Elbin -- the one-man orchestrator of the Mercury Cafe's weekly avant-garde food and music throw-down, Gorinto -- he was unsure of the fate of the unique get-together. After curating, cooking, booking and running Gorinto on his own for the better part of two years, Elbin ... More >>

Joe Miklosi focusing on run for Congress against Mike Coffman -- not Andrew Romanoff

Joe Miklosi.​Colorado's 6th Congressional District has been a safe Republican enclave -- the sort of place likely to elect current Representative Mike Coffman for as long as he cares to serve in Congress. But a judge recently redrew lines to make the district more competitive, thereby giving a ... More >>

Jared Polis has ideas for closing federal budget gap other than legalizing marijuana -- really

Jared Polis.​Although the so-called Gang of Six's proposal for averting debt-ceiling catastrophe is getting the lion's share of attention right now, Representative Jared Polis has floated some revenue-raising ideas of his own, which the media has largely winnowed down to this: Legalizing marij ... More >>

Koch brothers: Tea Party funders' meeting near Vail draws progressive protesters (PHOTOS)

Big pics below.​While William Koch was paying $2 million for a photo of Billy the Kid, his brothers, conservative lightning rods Charles and David, were meeting at the Ritz-Carlton resort at Bachelor Gulch near Vail -- a get-together that spurred a protest stirred up in part by ProgressNow Col ... More >>

Reader: Tea Party types are wrong to think Social Security is a redistribution of wealth

​Our post about this past weekend's Tax Day Tea Party in Loveland turned into a lively forum for debate about whether this grassroots movement is a good thing or a bad thing. Here's a post from someone representing the latter point of view.

Reader claims that Mexico has a defective culture

Mexican Macro-economics

Whose Dole Is It, Anyway?

Mike Fallon, Republican candidate in District 1, takes on Diana DeGette, seeks cure for Congress

Mike Fallon​It's the middle of the afternoon and Mike Fallon is at Pint's Pub. The Republican candidate for Colorado's 1st Congressional District wasn't driven to the bottle by the rigors of campaigning, however. Rather, he's holding the first in a series of town-hall meetings that will take ... More >>

Tax day warning: U.S. Attorney will bust your ass if you file incomplete/inaccurate returns

A Flickr photoForty-eight hours is about all you've got left...​April 15 -- the deadline for filing income-tax returns -- is just two days away. And in case your stress over that fact isn't already overwhelming, the U.S. Attorney's Office has a message: "It is important to file complete and ac ... More >>

Single payer health care rally for Obama visit: The concept is better for everyone except those getting rich off current, broken system, organizer says

Dr. Margaret Flowers will speak at the rally.​President Barack Obama's visit to Denver today is prompting more spectacles than just a medical marijuana protest featuring Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente, which is scheduled to be underway at this writing. For instance, there's also "Rally 'Ro ... More >>

John McCain Medicare-scare robocalls target Michael Bennet

At least he's not saying healthcare reform mirrors the North Vietnamese approach...​Yesterday, an amendment sponsored by Colorado Senator Michael Bennet guaranteeing no Medicare benefit takeaways because of healthcare reform passed 100-0. Among those voting for it: Arizona's John McCain, who's ... More >>

Jane Norton's introduction not too mavericky

Earlier this week, ex-Congressman Tom Tancredo said former Colorado Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton, then on the cusp of formally announcing her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, wasn't "ready for prime time" and was only running because she'd been urged to do so by Arizona Senator John McCain. Since ... More >>

Kent Lambert named taxpayers' king

Kent Lambert.​The Colorado Union of Taxpayers' acronym -- CUT -- indicates where its members stand on the question of taxation. While the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR) has been attacked by plenty of lawmakers, CUT president Marty Neilson credits it with "protecting Colorado from the real bu ... More >>

The ideal healthcare system is in... Grand Junction?

What St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction will look like after completing its "Century Project." In a report about efforts to control healthcare costs broadcast on National Public Radio this morning, Len Nichols, of the New America Foundation, an organization lobbying for reform in a wide array of ... More >>

From the week of June 11, 2009

Marilyn Musgrave: authorization vs. approval

Identity Crisis

Having your Social Security number stolen makes for a taxing situation.

Switch Hitter

Attorney Jay Reinan made his name defending nursing homes. Now he's out to expose them.

Racines

Sex shows demand adult beverages.

Off Limits

Better late than never

Pop Quiz

November 27, 2003
Biggest Turkeys Ever!

Letters to the Editor

From the week of April 10, 2003

In Sickness and in Wealth

Medicaid patients could be facing death by a thousand cuts.

Good Vibrations

Competion is stiff in the sex-toy business. But Kevin Larson comes prepared.

Letters to the Editor

From the week of February 28, 2002

Old-Age Wisdom

The state told Virginia Fraser to shut up, but she won't give up on the elderly.

A Dying Wish

Peggy Quinn wanted to make death easier on the terminally ill, but she's made life hard on everyone else.

Mind Games

The squeeze in managed mental-health care is choking patients and providers alike.

Dying for Dollars

The nursing home industry is earning healthy profits. But its clients may be paying the price.

Dottie Lamm

The Better Half

Captive Audience

Roll out the gurneys! Hospitals fight for the right to treat prisoners.

Trouble at McHospital

Shock waves at the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain reach Denver.

Roll On, Columbia

The nation's largest for-profit hospital chain is out to flatten its Denver competition. It's already reshaped the world of local health care.

Mental Anguish

Rescuing the mentally ill has brought millions to the Mental Health Corporation of Denver--as well as complaints of coercion, mismanagement and neglect.

Letters

THE SICK BILL

A COMPARISON OF TWO HOSPITAL BILLS SHOWS HOW COST-SHIFTING CAN KNEECAP CUSTOMERS.