The following information and resources provide background on the scope of Colorado's health care crisis and research into possible solutions.
The current health care system is broken. More than 800,000 Coloradans are without health insurance. Tens of thousands more are solely responsible for their own health care costs at unbearable expense. Businesses who struggle to do the right thing by providing health care benefits for their employees are increasingly facing competitive disadvantages. In response to the rising health care costs faced by businesses, insured employees have seen wages stagnate and out-of-pocket health costs increase.
In 2005, the average premium for family coverage in an
employer-based health plan climbed to $10,800.
Colorado's rate of health care spending is rising faster than the national average. Colorado was up 66% between 1998 and 2004 while the United States rose only 54%.
Colorado's income ranking is 10th in the country but its percentage uninsured is on par with West Virginia, ranked 50th in income nationally.
FRESC Senior Policy Analyst, Phuonglan Nguyen, stands with health care
allies as Governor Ritter signs legislation that extends health
benefits to thousands more Colorado children. ~June, 2008
Resources on Colorado's Health Care Crisis and Solutions
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