Colorado campaign supporting universal healthcare ballot measure enlists Bernie Sanders

Backers of ColoradoCare — the state ballot initiative that would establish universal healthcare in Colorado — think they have the perfect job for former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders.

With the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia behind him, Sanders “comes to Colorado and campaigns for single-payer — and we win,” said T.R. Reid, one of the architects of ColoradoCare. The initiative aims to provide every resident of Colorado with affordable health insurance. Sanders made universal coverage one of the cornerstones of his presidential bid.

The proposal comes with a $38 billion annual price tag — to be paid by a tax on workers and businesses. The program would eliminate the need for insurance premiums and deductibles, and proponents claim it would save the state and individuals a lot of money.
Reid said the backers of ColoradoCare have pitched Sanders’ team, hoping he will campaign on behalf of the measure that will come before voters in November.

Sanders has already championed the issue in the state — he pushed for a single-payer system during his Democratic primary campaign in Colorado. It was one of his key healthcare positions, and it got thousands of his supporters cheering at an event in Denver in February.