Myths and facts about health care in Colorado

Press/ Libre Initiative

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Earlier this year, the following lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 21-1232, the Standardized Health Benefit Plan Colorado Option – a bill that will limit consumer choice and make it more difficult for many hospitals to operate.

State Senator Leroy Garcia, Jr.

State Senator Dominick Moreno

State Senator Faith Winter

State Senator Rhonda Fields

The Latino community desperately needs our elected officials to enact policies that will strengthen the way health care is being delivered to patients.

But what we don’t need is centralized medicine that will raise health care costs and close hospitals.

Instead of enacting a “public option,” America needs a Personal Option: a set of sensible, principled reforms that would make American health care better, more affordable, and more accessible for everyone – and the envy of the world.

To make sense of all this, we have compiled a Fact Sheet responding to commonly asked questions concerning our health care system.

Myth: To improve health care for all, Colorado needs a true public option – one where the government sets prices and insures all with the same coverage plan.

Fact: People in countries with government-run, single-payer health care typically endure chronic medical shortages, long waiting lists, and bureaucratic rationing. They include countries like Cuba and Venezuela, where their most vulnerable suffer the most under a government-run system.

A public option plan would also cause tens of millions of Americans to lose their existing health plan and will inevitably lead to a government takeover that means higher costs and less access for everyone. It will make it harder for people to get the care they need when they need it.

Myth: Under a public option plan, those who want to keep their doctor and private insurance plan could do so. They would not be affected by a public option plan.

Fact: Research shows that a rise in the use of public health insurance programs results in a corresponding drop in the number of people covered by private insurance. According to some estimates, tens of millions of Americans could lose their existing health plan and result in a government takeover that means higher costs and less access for everyone. In short, it will make it harder for people to get the care they need when they need it.