Amendment 63 – Health Care Reform For or Against?

Do You Know What You're Voting For?

By Pamela D. Wilson, The Care Navigator, CSA, MS, BS/BA, CG

Election Day is around the corner. How many more nasty back-biting political ads can we watch on television or hear on the radio? Do these ads really project the true colors of the individuals we voted or are voting into office? If so, we're in trouble. What happened to politicians who don't change their stories to become re-elected? Are you a registered voter? Did you support health care reform? Regardless of your vote, yes or no, this amendment has no effect on federal health care reform, it's merely an effort to make the public feel better by allowing them to express their opinion.

The bottom line at question is whether or not you believe all Coloradans should be required to hold and purchase health insurance? This is your opportunity to give an opinion that will likely not make a difference. Many of you know that Colorado requires those driving an automobile to purchase automobile insurance. The benefit is that those insured no longer pay the cost for uninsured drivers causing accidents. Why is requiring individuals to have health insurance any different? The idea, like mandatory car insurance, is to spread the costs of the uninsured over a larger population besides those currently having health insurance. Is this practical? Does it make sense? This depends on the final implementation, however logically it makes sense.

A "yes" vote seeks to prohibit the state from enforcing participation in health insurance. Federal law requires all Coloradans to have insurance by 2014 regardless of the results of this vote.

Voting yes for this amendment merely states an opinion; it will not change the federal mandate.

The measure also seeks to define direct payments which mean you currently may see any medical provider you like if you privately pay for care. Currently there is no federal or state law that prohibits privately paying a health care provider. Why stir up the pot? Voting for this measure places this freedom into government hands and to later interpretation. Do we really want the government telling us where we can spend our own money and on what healthcare services?

Whatever side you're on, take the time to read and re-read the 2010 State Information Ballot before you vote. There are many issues affecting our future that should not be taken lightly.

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