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Comment by mr_spothawk | Hacker News Reader

I quit my job and moved to Colorado ("Health First Colorado" === medicaid). Over the winter holiday I broke my collarbone.

If it weren't for medicaid, I would be flat broke. my bills start at $5k... that's only the first bill I've seen. My savings would be dissolved, and I would be forced to find work for somebody else.

Instead, because of this coverage, and in spite of limitations on the amount of time I can work at a computer with a busted arm, I am able to continue my entrepreneurial efforts. My partners and I are all hopeful that this will be a very valuable use of our time, and our investor's money. I hope to be able to pay Colorado & the USGov back in spades, through taxes.

* - edited to correct Colorado Cares --> "Health First Colorado"... because I didn't know what I was talking about.

edit 2 - HFC is medicaid for those who qualify... Thanks HN for educating me :P

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Which states have universal Medicaid? I'm surprised this hasn't become a bigger thing.

Having insurance tied to employment is utterly terrifying. You'll stick it out in a sub-standard job to maintain coverage. You'll be fearful of taking risks on self-employment. It's the exact opposite thing you'd do if you wanted to encourage entrepreneurship.

I'm confused, is Colorado Care actually working in CO right now? Quick search seems to indicate that Amendment 69 has failed:

http://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/08/coloradocare-amendment-...

Sry... I'm new to CO. Your'e right... Amendment 69 failed (72% against or something?!?! who knows... I voted in favor).

The correct name is "Health First Colorado". I signed up the day I was hurt, they backdated the signup to the month prior. It took less than 15 minutes to become covered.

I've been working for 20+ years, with spats of insured or not-insured throughout... mostly uninsured. After I left my SF gig, I gave up my insurance & didn't get any more since I'd already had 6 months for the year.

By the end of December, I needed it.

Edit - link: https://www.colorado.gov/hcpf/colorado-medicaid

I'm in colorado.. just to be clear, we definitely do not have any type of universal coverage here, and Health First Colorado is not open to everyone. It's just normal medicaid.

They didn't care if you signed up when you were injured because you would have qualified for it anyway... you just didn't complete the paperwork. You definitely cannot do this when you exceed the income limit for medicaid and have to get normal health insurance.

The ACA increased the limits to qualify for medicaid. I know there were a few states balking at increased medicaid costs.. but you could have gotten this in most states, including CA.

Hey CO! Thanks for the details.

Yeah... my income === 0. Hopefully, not for too much longer.

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