At the heart of a thriving society is access to quality healthcare. As we move forward, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being of every individual, ensuring that everyone—regardless of background or income—has the care they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives. My platform is built on the belief that healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. It is also key to the functioning of a healthy, vibrant society and economy.

• Require coverage of pre-existing conditions and expand mental health benefits on the state exchange.  The Affordable Care Act is unlikely to survive the next four years. In 2023, Colorado became the first state to explicitly require gender affirming care services in its benchmark health insurance plan for essential health benefits. Like with transition-related care, we need to ensure care for pre-existing conditions and mental health services in our benchmark health insurance plan.

• Invest in public health infrastructure. Across the state, public health infrastructure is limited, if not non-existent in many counties, giving rise to health inequities in rural areas, and in underserved urban communities. We need to ensure funding for our public hospitals and invest in mobile and other healthcare services and clinics in rural areas.   

• Create a public option. Private insurance has a profit motive. To eliminate that motive and reduce costs, we need to offer a subsidized public option insurance program on Colorado’s exchange which mandates certain standards of care and benefits, and which undercuts the costs of private insurance plans. All Coloradans should be able eligible for enrollment, and employers will be able to contribute their payroll costs to that option to help reduce the costs of subsidization over time.

• Increase funding for reproductive health services. As national conditions deteriorate Colorado is likely to see an uptick in need for services. We need to ensure adequate funding and continue to enforce and strengthen Colorado’s shield laws protecting providers from adverse consequences for assisting out of state patients seeking abortions or transition-related care.