Investing in Colorado’s Kids

from School Health Reporter, Fall 2005

The 2005 election poses a critical question to Colorado taxpayers – how much are we willing to invest in Colorado ’s children and families?

On Nov. 1, voters will decide whether or not to approve Referenda C&D, two ballot measures that would allow the state to retain approximately $3.1 billion in surplus taxpayer revenues over the next five years, and to direct these dollars into healthcare, education, local fire and police pensions, and transportation. For the average family, this would mean giving the state permission to keep an average of $491 over five years, rather than refunding it to taxpayers. Under current constitutional restrictions, the state is limited as to how much revenue it can collect and keep in order to fund state services.  The poor economy of recent years has ratcheted down the state’s budget to a point where it cannot keep pace with the needs of its citizens, thus creating the need for the state to keep surplus revenues for the next five years to “catch up.”

As school health professionals, you certainly are aware of the impact of Colorado ’s recent economic recession on families. Our schools have struggled under program and capital construction cuts. Families have lost or have been unable to access health insurance coverage. And severe budget cuts to healthcare programs have compromised the health of Coloradans. There are many troubling statistics out there – here are just a few:

• More than 170,000 Colorado children do not have health insurance. Studies have proven that children without health insurance are less likely to receive preventive and primary healthcare services, resulting in more severe health conditions and costly treatments down the road.
• Colorado ranks 44th in the nation in immunization rates for young children.
• Approximately one in 16 children and one in 12 adolescents exhibit high levels of emotional and behavioral problems. This comes at a time when state funding for mental-health services has continually declined.

Additionally, educators and healthcare professionals have long recognized that children’s health is linked to success in the classroom. Referenda C&D will provide the opportunity to make significant investments in both health and education.

Under Referenda C&D, 30 percent of the surplus revenue, approximately $930 million, has been earmarked for healthcare, which will provide the opportunity to increase the number of children and families with health insurance, thereby improving health outcomes for children by increasing access to physicians and hospital care. Additionally, more insured children in Colorado means less uncompensated, or charity, care that healthcare providers like The Children’s Hospital must absorb, and less cost-shifting to families with private health insurance.

In addition to improving access to critical health services, the funding for healthcare under Referenda C&D has the potential to improve the health of Coloradans by strengthening mental-health programs, supporting primary and preventive healthcare efforts, such as immunizations, and enhancing long-term care. Countless studies have shown that investing money in children’s programs now saves significant dollars in the long run as these children grow older.

Colorado ’s children – aren’t they worth the investment?  For more information on Referenda C&D, please visit: www.voteyesonc-d.com.