Should Colorado Care? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Should Colorado Care?

Colorado's vote on universal healthcare

13
Should Colorado Care?
http://www2.thedenverchannel.com

A recent study of high-income countries and their healthcare systems found that the US spends 50 percent more on healthcare costs than the next highest spender, Switzerland, and had a life expectancy of four years fewer. The US spent the third-highest amount of government budget on health coverage while being one of the few countries on the list without universal health coverage. The US has prescription drug prices twice that of the U.K., Australia and Canada. These high prices are why 60 percent of all US bankruptcies are caused by medical bills and why increases in cost also result in people skipping refills of their medications. The growth of all prescription drug prices is felt more severely by insurance companies passing on costs to consumers.

After a citizen petition got 158,000 signatures, Amendment 69, or Colorado Care, became eligible to appear on the ballot. Colorado Care is a proposed bill that would transition Colorado to a Universal Health Care System. Residents would be able to visit any health provider without worry if it’s in or out of network. The hope is that the single insurer would be able to negotiate bulk rates with pharmaceutical companies at a discount. It would be different from Medicare, which is federally prohibited from negotiating rates.It is hoping to expand coverage and allow access to behavioral health services. It is also hoping to pay for this by appropriating federal money for Medicare, Medicaid, the health exchanges and a 10 percent increase to payroll taxes. If passed, this money would be rolled into a trust and policies about Colorado Care would be set by a 21-member board of trustees. The board could expand coverage if they have extra revenue, and would not be able to raise taxes without a vote.

Colorado has lower health costs than most other states caused by it being one of the most fit states. The improved access to behavioral services could be of great benefit for Colorado as it also has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. Improved access to mental health resources could save Colorado money by getting people the help they need, which would reduce spending on homelessness and imprisonment. Depression also has impacts on productivity. Colorado has the benefit of a massive amount of tax revenue coming from its legalization of marijuana. Many people are also sensitive to the string of price increases for drugs that seems to be nothing more than price gouging which has happened again, and again, and again, and again, all without any real changes besides congressional hearings.

I hope this has informed you for the upcoming election and come November I hope you vote for whatever you believe to be best.


I hope you enjoyed this article, and maybe even learned something. Feel free to share with your friends on the social media. If you want to read more of my other content you can here or follow me on twitter. Please stop by next week for more articles on news, economics and international affairs only available at Odyssey.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

4038
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments