Affordable Health Care Act: Benefits for Low-Income Populations

Amidst all the media attention over the delays and difficulties of implementing the Affordable Care Act, what's often overlooked is the benefit the new law offers to low-income populations. While many have focused on the problems involved in signing up for insurance under the health benefit exchanges, millions of people across the country are newly eligible to be covered by Medicaid.

Under the ACA, a huge proportion, perhaps as many as 80% of the Denver residents who frequent our homeless shelters, mental health facilities, emergency rooms and jails will be eligible for Medicaid. About the same proportion of the people served by Denver HIV/AIDS programs will also be eligible.
 
There are an estimated 100,000 people in Denver without health insurance. Of these, approximately 40,000 will be eligible for Medicaid under the ACA. To qualify for Medicaid, a single person would have to earn less than $15,282 and a family of four would have to earn less than $31,322. Unlike insurance offered under the benefit exchange, Medicaid does not require a monthly premium.
 
Denver Human Services, Denver Health and many other agencies are working to enroll all eligible Denver residents into Medicaid. While the application process can be tedious, it hasn't experienced the kinds of problems seen around the country with the benefit exchanges.
 
For more information on the state's Medicaid program and how to apply, visit http://www.colorado.gov/hcpf. For more information on the Affordable Care Act, visit here.

Denver Public Works Gears Up For Multi-Modal Snow Season

Denver is well on its way to becoming a multimodal City all year 'round, and our snow response plan reflects our  commitment to ensuring safety for all travel modes. The majority of Denver's on-street bicycle lanes are located on roadways with stripes; these are the streets that are routinely plowed every time snow accumulates. Crews will make every effort to plow through the bike lane to the curb whenever possible. During swift, heavy snowfall, however, bike lanes may become snow packed.

Public Works plow drivers keep an eye out for bikes on the roadway, but bicyclists should also be very cautious when riding in the vicinity of our trucks. It is critical that motorists and bicyclists give plows plenty of room when sharing the road this season.

Denver Parks and Recreation operates and maintains more than 80 miles of off-street multi-use trails within the City. When more than one inch of snow accumulates, Parks and Recreation crews manage snow removal efforts along urban, solid surface trails. These trails, like the Cherry Creek and Platte River trails, are plowed throughout the day, and may be a good alternative for bicyclists who feel uncomfortable riding on the street during adverse weather conditions. Soft surface trails are not addressed during the winter season.

Preferred Bicycle Routes into Downtown During Snow Events:

Public Works has identified these preferred bicycle routes that bicyclists can expect to be plowed during snow events.  Inbound:

• Northwest: Take 46th Avenue to Tejon Street, which turns into 16th Street, enter South Platte Trail from the pedestrian/bicycle bridge over I-25.
• West: Take 17th Avenue eastbound around Sports Authority Field at Mile High to access the South Platte Trail.
• Southwest: Take West Florida Avenue eastbound to the South Platte Trail.
• East: Take Martin Luther King Boulevard southwest to Stout or Champa Streets. 
• Central: Take 16th Avenue westbound into Downtown.
• Southeast: Take local roads to access the Cherry Creek Trail.

Tips for Bicycling in the Snow:

• Plan: After checking the local weather, decide if your bicycling skill set matches the daily weather forecast.
• Tire Type: The more tread on your tires the better.  A mountain bike is ideal for riding in the snow.
• Air: Let a little air out of your tires to give you more surface area on the snowy pavement
• Position: Lower your saddle so you can quickly put your foot down.
• Braking: As in any slippery conditions, brake early and in a straight line. You can also use the back brake to test the amount of adhesion you have.
• Apparel: Dress in layers