DENVER – In a recent opinion piece in The Denver Gazette, Heidi Ganahl, a businesswoman, entrepreneur, author and at-large member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, expresses her concerns with House Bill 21-1232, which would create a new state government-controlled health insurance system, known as the state government option.

Ganahl writes that the bill’s supporters are “calling it the ‘public option’ when there isn’t really an option at all for Colorado families.” She continues, “It could impact some of the biggest moments in your life.Having a baby, dealing with a cancer diagnosis, taking your little one for a check-up. This bill cuts payments to your pediatrician, your oncologist, your family care doc, which means they have to cut services or pass the cost on to you.”

Ganahl warns, “This attack on our health-care plans will destroy your ability to make health-care choices for your family and raise costs at the same time.” 

She highlights the recent 10-hour House Health & Insurance Committee hearing regarding HB21-1232 “that drew more than 100 witnesses speaking in opposition.” She adds, “Doctors oppose this bill. Rural hospitals oppose this bill. Patients oppose this bill. Most of us recognize that government-run health care doesn’t work. Ask veterans, ask your friends from socialist countries, ask those on the front lines of health care.” 

Ganahl states, “It would also prove very harmful to Colorado’s economy, especially after we were just ranked 48th in potential for economic recovery. We are not headed in the right direction!”

“The consequence of this bill is that doctors will leave Colorado, rural hospitals will close, and costs will go up for all of us. Not to mention, the quality of care will go down as good doctors flee,” she writes.

Ganahl highlights Washington state’s first-in-the-nation government-controlled health insurance system, stating: “Washington, the state, has a pretty similar public option. Their experience should be a red light flashing to Coloradans, not a beckoning to join them. They’ve seen premiums increase over 15 percent since they passed it in 2018. During the same time period, Colorado has seen premiums fall by around 25 percent since then. Why would we want to copy Washington?”

She concludes, “Colorado’s hardworking nurses, doctors, and health-care professionals have stepped up to help us get through the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s shameful that some folks at the Capitol are now trying to destroy their jobs and a health-care system that works pretty darn well here.”

• To read Heidi Ganahl’s full opinion piece published by The Denver Gazette, CLICK HERE.