The question at the Durango Public Library on Thursday will be: Should the state of Colorado adopt, and effectively set the precedent, for universal health care in the country?

At 5:30 p.m., Denver resident and health care author and journalist T.R. Reid will talk about Amendment 69: A citizen initiative that, if passed, would create a single-payer health care system in Colorado.

Reid said he will speak on behalf of the Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care, which has a presence in 60 out of the 64 counties in the state, in which people believe “a pretty simple idea.”

“A decent, ethical democracy should provide health care for everybody,” he said. “The U.S. is the only rich democracy that doesn’t cover everybody. All other counties have better health statistics and spend half as much on health care.”

The proposed amendment is estimated to cost $25 billion to finance its first year of operation by the Legislative Council, the research arm of the Colorado General Assembly. By comparison, Gov. John Hickenlooper’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2016-17 is $27 billion.

Once implemented, it would be paid for by a tax on employers of 6.67 percent on total payroll income, and workers would be taxed 3.33 percent on wages, salaries and tips. In addition, nonpayroll income such as farm income, business proprietors’ income, Social Security, annuities and capital gains income would be taxed at 10 percent

Reid said Amendment 69 accomplishes three initiatives: provides health care for everyone, saves billions of dollars in administrative costs, and gives patients the choice of a provider.

Reid said the payroll tax of 3.3 percent on an employee and 6.7 percent on the employer would work for most Coloradans.

“For almost everyone, that’s cheaper than what we’ve got now,” he said. “A family of four with a median income of $54,000 is paying 5 to 8 percent of their income for health insurance premiums, and then even more for co-pays and deductibles.”

Reid said under Amendment 69, there would be no deductibles.

“The insurance companies hate us,” he said. “Because in order to compete, they will have to lower their premiums and give patients more choices. They’ll have to get rid of their narrow network, and they hate that, because that’s how they make their money.”

Reid sees the state of Colorado as a potential pioneer for universal health care, which could serve as a template for other states. He said any major change – such as civil rights – starts on the state level.

Other precedent-setting legislation has been passed in Colorado, such as marijuana legalization, but that took three attempts before the bill finally passed. Reid said he’s optimistic there will be a strong showing for Amendment 69’s first appearance on the ballot.

“If people understand the idea, we’ll win,” he said. “Our motto is: Insurance companies hate it. You’ll love it.”

jromeo@durangoherald.com