Fueled by opposition to a measure seeking to create a public health insurance option, lobbying spending at the Colorado Capitol again reached a record. Nearly $44 million was spent during the 2020-21 fiscal year, which ended June 30, according to a Colorado Sun analysis of filings with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. That’s up […]
House Bill 1232
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: The Colorado legislature’s big health care bill will worsen health disparities for African Americans
As a physician and native Coloradan, I am grateful to wake up every day and provide quality medical care in the state that is so close to my heart. I spent the first 27 years of my career as a pediatric cardiologist in a private practice. To me, I am more than just a doctor […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: As emergency doctors, we see the compromise Colorado Option health insurance bill as our best shot at affordable, quality health care
You don’t need a medical degree to know that our health care system is broken. Millions of Americans remain uninsured. Many cannot afford to pay their medical bills even if they have insurance, yet the health-care industry is growing and profiting more than ever. The rising cost of health care is a crisis facing Colorado […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: The Colorado Option health insurance bill would harm state’s most vulnerable citizens
We all want to save a buck or two in our household budgets. It’s why I clip coupons, buy second hand and search for deals wherever I can to balance a family budget that includes adopting three children who have challenges including early-onset childhood schizophrenia, autism and developmental disabilities. While I appreciate the sentiment of […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Dark-money group spends record amount lobbying against Colorado Democrats’ effort to shrink health care costs
A national nonprofit working against Colorado Democrats’ bill to drive down health care costs in the state is setting spending records, with a dark-money nonprofit dropping nearly $560,000 to oppose the measure over a nine-month period. Partnership for America’s Health Care Future, funded by hospitals, insurers and other business interests, is now the top single-year […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Unelected commissions and boards are running a large part of Colorado government and your life
I am a relative neophyte to a lot of the workings of Colorado’s state government. I am working feverishly to learn so I can share with others, and I have to tell you that some of what I am learning is an increasing cause for concern on my part. Have you ever thought about who […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: A Colorado public option for health care is a backwards step
Health care is both critically important and far too expensive. It is a problem that Colorado businesses and individual Coloradans struggle with, and one that we’re committed to helping solve. However, House Bill 1232, a proposal before the state legislature to create a new government-run health plan, is the wrong approach. Full of big and […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: In a COVID-devastated world, the case for a Colorado public option for health care is clear
As a physician, not a day goes by that the rising cost of health care isn’t forcing hardships onto my patients. For some of my patients, an office co-pay means they need to cut back on something else. I have patients who try to get out of undergoing some tests because they cost too much. […]