Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding for Projects to Boost Rural Electric Grid Efficiency and Reliability
By RAC Online
Apr 30, 2013
Funding Includes more than $20 Million for Smart Grid Projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced funding for four rural electric projects in eight states to provide reliable, affordable electricity for rural residents. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy. Vilsack made the announcement during the legislative conference of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Washington.
One of the rural electric cooperatives that will receive funding is Colorado's Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., which serves 44 consumer-owned distribution cooperatives. It is receiving a $73 million loan to upgrade generation and transmission facilities, improve 50 miles of transmission line and build a substation. The loan amount includes more than $18 million for smart grid projects. Click here to read the full article.
Transforming Health Research on the High Plains
By News USA
May 13, 2013
(NewsUSA) - Ned Norman is a rancher. Maret Felzien is an English professor. And conventional wisdom says neither is likely to help healthcare research become more meaningful to patients and caregivers.
But Norman and Felzien, and their rural community in eastern Colorado, are doing just that through the High Plains Research Network (HPRN), a partnership of rural hospitals, clinics and primary care practices that are improving the care they provide to patients through research and quality improvement programs.
The network is one example of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute's (PCORI) vision for research that meaningfully engages members of the community. That's why PCORI (www.pcori.org) awarded the HPRN a Pilot Project contract in April 2012 to continue its community-based effort through "Boot Camp Translation." Click here to read the full article.
Despite Outrage, Health Exchange Wants Additional $125 Million
By Solutions
May 7, 2013
Despite outrage from some lawmakers who called review of Colorado’s health exchange a “mockery,” a bid for an additional $125 million in federal dollars is likely to move forward by next week.
“I would anticipate that we will sign off on this,” said Sen. Irene Aguilar, D-Denver. This (federal) money exists. If we don’t take it, we’re going to have citizens picking up the costs for their premiums. Our goal is to have the most successful exchange in the country and this is part of that.” To read more click here.
New Colorado Medicaid Dental Benefit for Adults to Begin April 2014
By Daily Dose
May 10, 2013
Colorado’s Medicaid office announced its new adult dental benefit, not offered before in the state, will begin in April of 2014.
Gov. John Hickenlooper is expected to sign the bill authorizing the new benefit this weekend. State health finance officials and consumer health advocates consider the new benefit big progress, as dental benefits have often been an afterthought in public health spending and are not part of the federally mandated minimums. Some states whose Medicaid programs were more flush had offered dental benefits, but Colorado before now had not found the money. For more information click here.
