Poll shows the majority of Coloradans support government intervention on health care

By

Eli Kirshbaum

|

According to results from the Colorado Health Foundation (CHF)’s recently released annual Pulse Poll, 80% of Coloradans support government intervention for lowering the cost of health care in the state. 

Of this 80%, 59% said they strongly support such interventions, while 21% said they’re somewhat supportive. Only 14% were in opposition.

 

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Image; Colorado Health Foundation

 

According to Gov. Jared Polis’s senior health policy advisor, Elisabeth Arenales, the currently-underway Colorado Option initiative will align with this public opinion and reduce the base cost of health care in the state.

At a recent webinar hosted by Colorado Healthcare Strategy and Management (CHSM), Arenales said:

“The reinsurance program has been incredibly effective, but it doesn’t actually lower the underlying cost of care … The Colorado Option starts the hard work of seeing what we can do to lower the actual cost of care in the state of Colorado.”

The poll results also showed 83% of Coloradans support providing more state-funded mental health and substance use services in the state. Of these respondents, 56% were in strong support and 27% were somewhat supportive.

Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, chair of the House Public and Behavioral Health Committee, told State of Reform in June that Colorado made significant headway on mental health support this year. HB 21-1068, which the governor signed in July, will require health plans to cover one annual mental health exam for enrollees. 

She also said SB 21-154, which provides funding to prepare Colorado for the nationwide implementation of the 988 suicide prevention lifeline, was a key accomplishment this year in supporting Coloradans’ mental health.

In addition, the state is currently developing its new Behavioral Health Administration after passing HB 21-1097 this session.