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August 20, 2020
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
VOLUME 75 | ISSUE 43
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
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. At the prior school board meeting
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 LPS, P2
SEE TESTING, P8
A neck-and-neck race for first place.
PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT
Duck racers wrap up subdued Western Welcome Week Under blazing sun, duckies — and festival — float on BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Yes, the parade was canceled. Nor was there a pig roast at this year’s
Western Welcome Week. No fireworks. No concert. Littleton’s signature annual bash typically sends the city into a week of late-summer revelry, but the 92nd annual incarnation was pretty subdued. But despite the restrictions of the year of the pandemic, executive director Cindy Hathaway pressed
on, organizing online versions of auctions and art shows, and the firstever Western Welcome Week boxed pancake breakfast. South Platte Park still held a birds of prey demonstration and the traditional gold panning lessons. And on Aug. 16, what should have SEE DUCKS, P4
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
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | SPORTS: PAGE 15
MUSIC COMES ALIVE AGAIN Some venues bring back shows despite COVID-19 challenges P12