Expect to see petition on health care reform

Editor:

Federally, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) earmarked $50 billion for transforming rural health care, and $1 billion is earmarked for Colorado. However not all is as it seems, as is often the case with the current administration, as over $1 trillion was cut from health care, mostly related to Medicaid cuts. What is gained from this award is not close to repairing the damage caused by the OBBBA.

Our representative, Jeff Hurd, voted for extending the health care subsidies; communications from his constituents seem to have gotten through to him. Thank you to all who reached out. However, he has expressly stated he wants to see changes made to the bill in the Senate so it comes back to the House again. Health care access and affordability for Coloradans should not be delayed by tossing a hot potato around the table by those in Congress who have health care security. We need to hold his feet to the fire. This we learned when he promised to support US healthcare, but then voted for the cuts in the OBBBA.

The Colorado School of Public Health (CSPH) is studying whether Colorado can provide truly comprehensive, universal health care (medical, dental, vision, hearing, mental health and long-term care support services) to Coloradans as mandated by SB25-045 Healthcare Payment Study Analysis. The state’s budget was in the tank last year, so the CSPH has been fundraising for the mandated research. Only $30,000 more is needed to fully fund the study with $720,000 already raised. It will provide us with real answers to the health care conundrum in Colorado by the end of this year. Tax deductible donations or gifts can be made here: giving.cu.edu/HSMP. Thank you to all who have donated time, talent and treasure.

And we have more free health care movies coming up in February. Here’s more information on the movies:

• Sick Around the World - Two showings with TR Reid, an American reporter, documentary film correspondent, and author that document his firsthand experiences with other healthcare systems. First at the Gunnison Library on Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. and then at the CB Majestic on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. If your organization / leadership / group would like one-on-one time to talk with him and are unable to attend the film, please reach out to me to arrange a separate discussion with him.

• Power to Heal – A powerful movie that tackles hard truths about racism in U.S. healthcare. It covers the crucial importance of the passage of Medicare in the 1960s. We will show it at the Gunnison Library on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. One of the producers will be in virtual attendance for questions and answers after the one-hour film. If virtual viewing is easier for you, contact me and I’ll send the link once it is available.

We will be circulating a petition for health care reform. To learn more, get involved, sign the petition, be part of the Colorado health care revolution go to: www.couniversalhealth.org or email marsha.thorson@gmail.com.

Gunnison County Health Care Activists

Marsha Thorson, MSPH

Grace Fienberg, MPH

Laird Cagan, MD

Crested Butte