HALLOWEEN DUI ENFORCEMENT
Rifle—Halloween is three days away but the weekend leading up to it means a lot of costumed party-goers will be consuming a few spooky beverages. The Colorado State Patrol is warning everyone to drink responsibly and do not get behind the wheel. Additional troopers, officers and deputies will be on the road this weekend looking for drunk or drugged drivers. On Monday, the heat will be turned up a bit as the CSP will be operating a DUI checkpoint in the Rifle area.
COLORADANS BRACING FOR FEWER INSURANCE CHOICES IN ’17
Grand Junction/Denver—Most western slope residents will have to pay more for health insurance next year with only one choice for a carrier. Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield will be the only provider in 14 Western Colorado counties in 2017 because other carriers have left the state. The warning was sent out earlier this year when the Colorado Division of Insurance predicted that over 90 thousand people will need to switch plans for 2017. For those living on the more populous front range, the choices are greater and the premiums, while still high, are cheaper than rural Colorado. Denver, El Paso and Jefferson County residents will be able to choose from five carriers. Open enrollment for next year begins next Tuesday, November 1st.
TIPTON CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT OVER HEALTH CARE COSTS
Washington, D.C.—Western slope Congressman Scott Tipton is angry with President Obama for not admitting his health care plan is seriously flawed and needs to be changed. The Obama Administration confirmed this week that everyone with health insurance under the Affordable Care Act will see double-digit increases next year. Tipton is calling out Obama for repeatedly promising that the A-C-A would lower the average family premium by 25-hundred dollars. Tipton says the opposite is happening throughout the sprawling 3rd Congressional District and across the nation. He says federal control of the health care system has made insurance unaffordable and inaccessible for millions of citizens. Tipton says the house currently has a plan to get America’s health care system back on track called, “Our Better Way.” He says it would repeal the A-C-A and replace it with something that works for everyone. The Cortez Republican incumbent is currently in a tight political battle with Democrat challenger, Gail Schwartz.
