DENVER – The state’s leading progressive organization on Wednesday opposed a single-payer health care ballot question, sending Democrats into a bizarre tailspin.
The move by ProgressNow Colorado adds to the disharmony within both political parties this election year.
Dueling news conferences were held, during which ProgressNow led House Democratic Leader Crisanta Duran of Denver and other Democrats in opposition to the $25 billion single-payer health care question, which voters will decide in November.
Many of their concerns revolve around existing fears surrounding the initiative.
NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado in June said the ballot question would throw abortion rights into jeopardy. Their worry is that since it is illegal in Colorado to publicly fund abortion, voters would unintentionally outlaw abortion by enacting a public health system.
In another setback, the Colorado Health Institute said this month that the system would struggle to bring in enough revenue to cover its costs.
Amendment 69 would eliminate private insurance for a 10 percent “premium tax” so that the state can cover health expenses. Employers would share employees’ costs.
When proponents heard of the opposition news conference in front of the Denver office of ProgressNow, supporters scheduled their own event to begin a half hour before, also in front of the quaint Denver office.
One proponent said of the competing news conference, “We decided to do the intro for them.” Another observer said of the clash, “Welcome to the 2016 election, also known as the apocalypse.” Others framed the debate as “civil war.”
What ensued was left-leaning activists – many aligned with the Democratic Party who have stood with ProgressNow in the past – shouting at fellow Democrats. They held signs that crossed out ProgressNow and instead read, “Big Pharma Now.” Another sign asked, “Progress ... Really?” And a third sign begged, “Stop Being Corporate Hacks.”
The showdown was reminiscent of divides seen at the July Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, when Bernie Sanders supporters heckled Hillary Clinton delegates.
Sanders – the leader of a “political revolution” supports single-payer health care, and proponents are in negotiations with him to come to Colorado to formally endorse the initiative.
The ballot question is viewed as a national test case, and the first time a state “truly has the chance to move forward” on single-payer health care reform.
As proponents kicked off their “introductory” news conference Wednesday, an organizer turned to the ProgressNow office and said, “We’re going to trash these guys,” while the group chanted, “health care now!”
“I’m nervous, I never thought I’d see myself here,” said state Sen. Irene Aguilar, D-Denver, a doctor and lead proponent. “When organizations that are mislabeled as progressive choose to support the status quo, choose money influence over the lives of the 535 Coloradans estimated to die each year because of lack of access to health care, it makes the people angry and it makes me angry.”
ProgressNow and the Democrats behind them were accused of taking money from the powerful health insurance lobby and being influenced by conservative political consultants.
Assisting with the news conference was Sean Duffy, a consultant with The Kenney Group, who was hired by the opposition, and often takes right-leaning clients.
“You think this is easy for us? This is not easy. This is tough. Doing the right thing is tough,” said Ian Silverii, executive director of ProgressNow Colorado, who previously served as chief of staff to House Speaker Dickey Lee Hullinghorst of Boulder.
His comments enraged Aguilar, who interrupted Silverii to say, “I am insulted that you implied that I’m spreading misinformation.”
Opponents acknowledged the “goals and passion” of supporters, but they added that they believe they have a responsibility to speak up.
“One of the most disturbing arguments we’ve been offered is we should remain neutral, despite the severe policy issues surrounding this,” said Karen Middleton, executive director of NARAL Colorado. “This amounts to nothing more than waiting our turn.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
