I had to laugh when I read Ange Nobes letter (Herald, Sept. 15). She said, “Amendment 69 is the devil coming at you with all the pitchforks in hell.” Really?
Nobes seems to indicate that she was at the presentation by state Sen. Aguilar on Sept. 1, but if she was, she must not have been paying attention. The ColoradoCare board cannot raise the tax rate without a vote of the residents of Colorado. Section 9.8 says taxes can be increased “but only if a majority of the members of ColoradoCare who cast votes on the proposed increase approve it” (A “member” is defined in section 2.11 as someone “at least 18 years of age and whose primary residence has been in Colorado for at least one continuous year.”).
With respect to coverage when you are temporarily out of the state, Section 5.4.n says “(The board shall:) Establish policies and procedures to pay benefits for health care services rendered to a beneficiary who is temporarily living or traveling in another state.”
As to retirees paying high taxes, the same basic rules apply to the extra income tax mandated by ColoradoCare that apply to the existing income tax system. Some retirement income is not taxable on a person’s federal income tax and therefore does not transfer to the Colorado income tax form. Colorado also offers exemptions that further reduce the amount that is taxable.
Because of their total income, we estimate retirees will not pay any taxes for ColoradoCare. There is a calculator on the ColordoCare.org website that can give you answers for your situation.
Nobes says there is a much better way to cover everyone in Colorado, but she doesn’t say how. Gov. Hickenlooper doesn’t have a plan. U.S. Sens. Bennet and Gardner don’t have a plan. Speaker Ryan doesn’t have a workable plan. Our Legislature isn’t going to pass anything. So ultimately, your choice is Amendment 69 or the status quo. Talk about a plan designed by the devil. That would be the status quo!
Karen Pontius
Durango
