Care to change?
Statewide health care, assisted suicide on ballot

Just like the actual size of this year’s ballot, the two health-care measures on it are all about going big. If passed, they would bring big changes to the state – either in how Coloradans are covered or how they face terminal illness.

First, there’s constitutional Amendment 69 – simply put, it would create a single-payer health-care system in the state called ColoradoCare. The other issue is Proposition 106, which would allow someone with a terminal diagnosis to get aid-in-dying medication, commonly referred to as ?assisted suicide.

Maybe both issues can be slimmed down to these simple sentences, but the truths behind them are wide-reaching and far more complicated.

So, get ready for the latest ballot breakdown from the Telegraph.

Amendment 69 – Statewide Health-Care System

It’s called ColoradoCare. If passed, it would create a brand new health-care system in the Centennial state.
This system would gradually grow over several years, eventually covering everyone in Colorado, either as a primary insurance provider or as supplemental coverage for those with Medicare or military benefits.
At the top of this hierarchy would be a 21-member board of trustees, initially appointed and later elected. They’ll make the rules, determine benefits, negotiate with health providers, deal with any issues and, among other things, administer the funds.

Those funds will come from new payroll taxes.
Like the infrastructure of ColoradoCare, the taxes would grow over the first several years, eventually reaching 3.33 percent paid by employees on their income and 6.67 percent paid by the employer. These new taxes are expected to bring in at least $25 billion.

To put it in perspective, the entire budget for the state of Colorado this fiscal year is $25.8 billion.
Supporters of the amendment argue ColoradoCare would create an equitable system, control health-care costs and improve patient care. They contend that everyone should have access to affordable care and, in that vein, the measure would prohibit deductibles.

Those in opposition, however, say there are no guarantees it will reduce costs or improve care. In fact, they argue it would increase costs and reduce health-care options. The only certainty is that it will take years and billions to even try to implement.

Health care can often be divided down party lines, but ColoradoCare isn’t actually about being blue or red.
For example, former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and current Gov. John Hickenlooper, both Democrats, have come out in opposition to the measure.

“Our reforms are just beginning to bear fruit and it would be premature to dramatically remake our health care system at this time,” Hickenlooper is quoted saying on the opposition website, ColoradansForColoradans.com.

The local arm of the party, the La Plata County Dems, however, are among those endorsing the measure on the proponent’s website, ColoradoCare.org. They’re joined by the League of Women Voters of Colorado, Boulder County Democratic Party, San Miguel County Commissioners and others.

Mercy Regional Medical Center’s parent company, Centura Health, opposes the measure.

“Centura Health has evaluated the impact of such an amendment, and has taken a position of opposition,” explained David Bruzzese, spokesperson for Mercy Regional Medical Center, in an email.

For – Vote yes on 69, ColoradoCare.org; Against – no on 69, ColoradansForColoradans.com

Proposition 106 – Access to Medical
Aid-in-Dying Medication

Commonly referred to as assisted suicide, this issue has been a topic of debate for decades. Today, five states allow for it.

Colorado’s proposed statute would give a terminally ill patient, with six months or less to live, access to what’s called “aid-in-dying medication.”

First, the patient must self-administer the medication. No one can administer it for them. They must also be at least 18 years old, their terminal illness needs to be confirmed by two physicians, and they need to voluntarily express their desire to receive the medication – they can’t be talked into it by someone else.

If someone coerced a patient or tampered with their request for the medication, that individual would face criminal charges.

The statute includes covering insurance issues, ?requiring insurance companies to keep their agreements regardless of whether or not a patient chooses to use the medication. It also directs the health professional who signs the death certificate to list the underlying terminal illness as the cause of death, not the medical aid-in-dying medication or result of taking it.

Proponents often talk about a terminally ill patient’s right to have end-of-life options, a right to make their own choices. Opponents argue, among other things, the measure creates too many possibilities for abuse and fraud.
When asked about Mercy Regional Medical Center’s position on Prop 106, Bruzzese referred questions to the Diocese of Catholic Hospital Association.

It’s uncertain how the proposition’s passage could affect specific health-care providers, like those working for Centura Health or other faith-based nonprofits. However, leaders in the Catholic Church across Colorado oppose Prop 106.

For – yes on Colorado End of Life Options, coendoflifeoptions.org; Against – no on Prop 106, votenoprop106.co