In late January, a coalition of organizations submitted the letter below to state legislators in support of the Colorado Health Insurance Option (a.k.a. the public option). If you/your organization would like to join the list of supporters, please review the letter and complete the form information below:

The undersigned organizations/individuals support greater access and affordability to  health care for Coloradans, and greater accountability of health care institutions to their patients. As neighbors in every corner of our state are struggling  to afford their care, rising health care costs are creating a true crisis for Colorado families. To this end we ask for your consideration and support in creating a more affordable health insurance alternative.
 
Together, we have a shared priority in finding a pathway forward for a public option because we sincerely believe that the 90% of uninsured Coloradans who list cost as the primary reason they lack coverage need more affordable options. We also know that nearly 20% of all Coloradans face significant financial burdens when it comes to accessing care, taking on credit card debt and foregoing necessities like food, heat, and rent in order to pay their bills . A public option has the potential to increase access and affordability for both Colorado’s uninsured and underinsured.  We firmly believe that we cannot accomplish this without additional legislation and regulation to increase the health care system’s accountability to the people it serves. Under the current system, far too many people are facing financial insecurity as a result of the high cost of health care.
 
We understand that members of the health care industry are raising a number of concerns and putting a great deal of resources behind opposing this idea, even before a bill has  been drafted. We are committed to finding a feasible solution that puts patients first and ask that you continue the dialogue with us as we craft legislation that take into account feedback from the many stakeholders we know care deeply about this issue.
 
We are a diverse group of organizations/individuals with different missions, but we are united behind supporting a public option solution that benefits the people of Colorado and believe it is a critical step in achieving universal coverage in our state. Thank you for your consideration, and we appreciate you maintaining an open mind as we work together.

Current supporters:

American Diabetes Association
Boulder County Commissioners
Center for Health Progress
Chronic Care Collaborative
Cobalt (formerly known as NARAL Pro Choice Colorado)
Colorado Center on Law and Policy
Colorado Children’s Campaign
Colorado Community Health Network
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
Colorado Council of Churches
Colorado Cross Disability Coalition
Colorado Fiscal Institute
Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance
Good Business Colorado
Healthier Colorado
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Liver Health Connection
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado
Mental Health Colorado
MS Society, CO-WY Chapter
One Colorado
Small Business Majority
The Bell Policy Center
The Consortium
Western and Rural Colorado Health Care Coalition
Women’s Lobby of Colorado
Young Invincibles

To view the pdf version of this letter, you can click here: https://cohealthinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Public-Option_Support-Letter_FINAL_1.22.20.pdf

For more information about the Colorado Health Insurance option, view the fact sheet: https://cohealthinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Colorado-Health-Insurance-Option.png