Under Amendment 69, Colorado’s constitution would be altered to create a socialized healthcare system called ColoradoCare, with hopes to eliminate the state’s uninsured population. The system — to be funded through a 10 percent payroll tax — would enroll all individuals except Medicare, Tricare and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries under ColoradoCare.
Here are six challenges to Amendment 69.
1. Last month a Magellan Strategies opinion poll found roughly two-thirds of voters oppose the legislation. The bipartisan opposition includes health insurers, healthcare providers and legislators.
2. Opponents of the amendment outraised supporters six to one, according to the report. Opponents have raised more than $4 million and created television and Internet ads against Amendment 69.
3. Proponents of the measure have raised $345,000 this year and $424,000 last year. A lack in funding has led proponents to pursue handouts, mailers and bumper stickers rather than television ads.
4. The Colorado Medical Society found 78 percent of the nearly 800 physicians it surveyed opposed the measure. Sixteen percent of respondents approved the amendment and 6 percent were undecided, according to the report.
5. Opponents include the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance, the Colorado Hospital Association and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
6. ColoradoCare would be the first universal health system in the United States, with no existing comparison.
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