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.

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