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Amendment 69, also known as the Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System Initiative, was a proposed initiative on the Colorado ballot in 2016. If passed, it would have led to the creation of a statewide program to fund universal health care for Colorado residents.[1] The amendment was voted on concurrently with the United States presidential election and other local, state, and federal elections on November 8, 2016. It failed to pass, receiving 21.23 percent of the vote and failing to achieve majority support in any county.[2]
Campaign
editProponents argued that ColoradoCare would ultimately save most families money, based on projections that the plan would cut annual statewide healthcare spending from $30 billion to $25 billion.[3]
The leading organization opposing the amendment was Colorado for Coloradans.[4] Opposition to the measure often centered on taxes, with some claiming that if passed, the measure would double the size of the state budget and give Colorado the highest taxes in the country.[4][3] Some abortion rights advocates, such as Colorado's chapter of NARAL Pro-Choice America, also opposed the measure, voicing concern that the state's 1984 amendment banning public funds from being spent on abortion would prevent ColoradoCare from covering abortions.[5]
Funding
editOpponents of Amendment 69 raised significantly more money than proponents.[4] On November 4, 2016, Talking Points Memo reported that the "no" side had raised $4,100,000, whereas the "yes" side had raised $867,000.[4] Colorado for Coloradans' five largest contributors included three health insurance companies, with a $1,000,000 donation from Anthem, as well as two health care systems.[4]
Endorsements
edit- U.S. Senators
- Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007-present)[6]
- Individuals
- Noam Chomsky, professor, activist, and social critic[7]
- Gloria Steinem, activist and journalist[4]
- Colorado elected officials
- Organizations
- NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, abortion rights advocacy group[5]
- United Food and Commercial Workers[4]
Aftermath
editThe Washington Examiner suggested that the result demonstrated that single-payer healthcare is unpopular even among left-leaning voters and argued that the result should encourage congressional Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System, Amendment 69 (2016)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Official Certified Results: November 8, 2016 General Election". Colorado Election Results. Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ a b Evans, Angela K. (October 6, 2016). "Heath care: A right or a privilege?". Boulder Weekly. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Judis, John (November 4, 2016). "Proposition 69: The Battle for Health Care Reform Moves to Colorado Nov. 8". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ a b Frank, John (June 24, 2016). "Would Amendment 69 limit access to abortion in Colorado?". Denver Post. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ Hutchins, Corey (October 26, 2015). "Bernie Sanders: Colorado could "lead the nation" with its universal healthcare ballot measure". Colorado Independent. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ Hutchins, Corey (July 16, 2016). "Noam Chomsky supports Colorado's universal healthcare ballot measure". Colorado Independent. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- ^ "ColoradoCare collapse and the lessons on Obamacare". Washington Examiner. November 13, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2023.