Democratic Party of Denver Executive Committee Calls for Single-Payer Health Care Plan

Read the full text of the resolution.

The Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Denver left no doubt about where it stands in support of Health Care Reform when the body voted resoundingly in support of a single-payer system at its monthly meeting Tuesday night.

Following months of community forums sponsored at House District meetings throughout the City and County of Denver, the vote was 42-4 in support of the resolution, calling on state legislators, Governor Ritter, and Colorado's Congressional delegation to support legislation establishing a single-payer system similar to that proposed in The Colorado Guaranteed Health Care Act (HB 09-1273).

The resolution touts the single-payer system as a solution to providing universal access to good health care while containing costs and actually saving money over the current system. The Executive Committee called for courageous leadership from its elected officials, urging them to listen to their constituents and their conscience in brining about meaningful reform of America's broken health care system.

"I am very excited to present this resolution to our elected officials in the coming weeks," Democratic Party of Denver Chair Cindy Lowery said after the resolution passed. "It is vital that we support a resolution that ensures access to affordable health care for all Coloradans. A single-payer system is the only option reviewed by the 208 Commission that would save Colorado money."

The 208 Commission for Health Care Reform, established by the 2006 Colorado General Assembly, determined a single-payer plan would save Colorado $1.4 billion in state funds and save businesses $2.34 billion of their own money while providing comprehensive health care to all residents of Colorado.

Dr. Irene Aguilar, a physician at Denver Health and the President of Health Care for All Colorado, addressed the Executive Committee before the vote, highlighting both the increase in the quality of care and the economic virtues of the single-payer system. She quoted President Barack Obama as he outlined his vision for Health Care Reform last month.

"I want to cover everybody," President Obama said at his July 22nd prime time news conference, citing the 47 million Americans currently uninsured. "Now, the truth is that unless you have what's called a single-payer system in which everybody is automatically covered, then you're probably not going to reach every single individual.

"The overwhelming majority of Americans want health care, but millions of them can't afford it," the president continued. "The basic idea should be that in this country, if you want health care, you should be able to get affordable health care."

Several elected officials attended the meeting, including Representatives Joe Miklosi (House District 9), Jeanne Labuda (HD1), Beth McCann (HD8), Lois Court (HD6), Senator Pat Steadman (Senate District 31), and former Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff. The Democratic office holders serve on the county's Central Committee of over 700 members, but are not part of the Executive Committee.

"As sad as the stories of Health Care are--they rip my heart out--it's not going to move the needle," Rep. Miklosi said, focusing on the key to making the case for reform. "We have to win the economic battle. I'm a strong supporter of single-payer, and I strongly support your resolution."

The resolution reminds elected officials that the Colorado Democratic Party Platform of 2008 is unequivocal in its Health Care plank, supporting the "implementation of a quality, universal, single-payer health care system, independent of employment." The Colorado Guaranteed Health Care Act was a single vote short in the support it needed to pass, and the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Denver emphatically called for new legislation in the mold of HB 09-1273.

Six other Colorado counties have also expressed their support of a single-payer system, including Montrose, Boulder, Costilla, Hinsdale, La Plata, and Arapahoe counties.

"I'm a big proponent of single payer," Rep. McCann said after the vote. "I'm happy for your support, and I'm distressed by what is happening on the national level. Call Diana DeGette. Call Michael Bennet. Call Mark Udall. Keep your voices out there. The noise is loud, so keep after it."

While health insurance and pharmaceutical industries spend $1.4 million a day on lobbyists and marketing, instilling fear and confusion in the minds of many voters, the Democratic Party of Denver is determined to counter those messages with local, grassroots conversations promoting Health Care Reform and encouraging Denver residents to share their hope for change.

Read the full text of the resolution.

Visit the Democratic Party of Denver's Health Care Action and Resource Center.