August 20, 2020
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 36
COVID testing: Important, say officials, but is it free? Some health plans have refused to pay costs, lawmakers say BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Littleton Public Schools Superintendent Brian Ewert said he will take the group’s report seriously, but wanted to hear from people with other perspectives as well. PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT
I was watching the Colorado Rockies play against the Oakland Athletics, and I saw the cardboard cutout fans placed in the stands of the ballpark and the players and coaches in masks. I heard the artificial crowd noise at the game, and it may sound goofy, but watching the Rockies that day is when I started to mentally feel like I had the virus.
More than half a year after COVID19 emerged as a major threat to Coloradans, a big question remains surrounding a key element in the war against the disease: testing, and whether it should be free for everyone. Widespread confusion over whether getting tested for the virus is free has continued months after Congress appeared to put the question to bed with two laws in March, and questions have still lingered this summer as to when the public may be hit with unexpected costs. Some health insurance offered by Americans’ employers — known as self-funded or self-insured health plans — have refused to pay for COVID-19 tests at all or have required that consumers pay some costs, according to a letter from congressional Democrats to federal officials in July. That’s despite the fact that federal guidance issued in late June appeared to affirm that insurers refusing to pay for tests for those with COVID-19 symptoms, or who had recent exposure to COVID-19, is unlawful. Self-insured plans must cover services related to testing, according to the June 23 guidance by the federal Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury.
SEE COVID-19, P18
SEE TESTING, P8
LPS affirms in-person start despite concerns Teachers fear that things could get worse fast BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Littleton Public Schools officials say the district is on track to begin
the school year with in-person learning on Aug. 24, though many district teachers and parents say they remain extremely skeptical of the decision and would prefer the school year begin online. At the Aug. 13 school board meeting, the board reaffirmed the decision to begin the school year with five-day in-person weeks at
the elementary level, and a hybrid model at the middle and high school level that will see students split their time between classroom and online learning. Families still have the option to choose a fully online curriculum at all grade levels. SEE LPS, P4
A reporter’s bout with COVID-19 ‘I didn’t realize how mentally challenging it would be’ BY JOSEPH RIOS JRIOS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
July 29 was the 10th day I had been feeling sick with COVID-19,
and by that time, I had all the symptoms you’ve read or heard about. I had a fever. I could feel myself losing my breath if I did something as simple as make my bed. I had a cough, and I could barely walk around my tiny apartment or walk outside to go throw out the trash. But it wasn’t until July 29 that I really realized that I was sick with COVID-19.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | SPORTS: PAGE 23
MUSIC COMES ALIVE AGAIN Some venues bring back shows despite COVID-19 challenges P14