DENVER – In a new op-ed in the Colorado Springs Gazette, Gary Arnold of Denver Pipefitters Local 208, Sean Wyatt of Plumbers Local 3 and Dave Davia, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association are the latest voices to express serious concerns with HB21-1232 – legislation that would create a new state government-controlled health insurance system in Colorado. Adding to a chorus of stakeholders concerned with the proposal, they warn that “the proposed state government-run health insurance system comes down to less choice, longer waits and higher costs.”

These leaders point to a recent report that found “payments to doctors, nurses, hospitals and other health care providers for treating patients could be cut by as much as $1 billion by 2024.” They add, “That’s $1 billion — with a ‘b’ — in a system that has been pushed to the brink fighting the COVID pandemic.”

They note that HB21-1232 “misses the mark,” stating, “You can’t simply wave a wand and mandate costs without putting access and quality at risk.”

They continue, “As people who manage an employer sponsored health plan offered across 160 member companies, we know firsthand the challenges that arise when it comes to cost of health coverage and access to care … For our members a plan that offers continuity of care is as important as affordability, access and quality.”

“Under the proposed Colorado Health Insurance Option–our plan is at risk,”  they write.

Highlighting their success managing Taft Hartley plans – multiemployer health benefit plans –– they note their “multi-employer health insurance product that covers about 8,000 Coloradans in the state’s construction trades has been able to hold those increases to 3.1% a year by focusing on the three prongs of access, cost and quality.”

They also add, “We have proven that we, as a private market, can put a health plan in place to compete for quality people and manage our expenses.”

They firmly believe that “Any legislation that starts by taking away a health care plan that is working is just wrong.”

They argue lawmakers should “consider the experience of Washington” and that “the results of the Washington State experience should be a siren call to Coloradans – stand up and said ‘no.’” They continue, “Since 2018, after Washington’s public option passed, premiums in that state increased 15.5%. Compare that to Colorado where benchmark premiums have fallen by 25.3%.”

They conclude, “There’s just too much unknown to move forward with an unvetted plan that could cause sweeping impacts to our healthcare system as we work to overcome the COVID pandemic.

They urge that “Lawmakers must say ‘NO’ to the proposed Colorado Health Insurance Option. A real solution should expand access to medical service and address urgent and evolving needs throughout Colorado.”

• To read the full opinion piece in the Colorado Springs Gazette, CLICK HERE.