Colorado Fiscal Institute, AARP representatives host forum on health care, state budget

Greeley Tribune (CO)

Sept. 27--Area seniors fearful of efforts in Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act converged Tuesday to discuss options to oppose such efforts, but there may be more of a fight on their hands if legislators move to tax reform.

Representatives from the Colorado Fiscal Institute and AARP Colorado hosted a 90-minute legislative forum at the Evans Community Complex, 1100 37th St.

Residents opposed to the Graham-Cassidy repeal and replace bill, a central topic of the forum, aren't celebrating yet, even though Republican leaders announced Tuesday they won't bring the bill to a vote.

"It's not dead until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday," said Paul Echternacht of Fort Lupton.

Other residents agreed repeal and replace is a very real threat until Sunday. Kelli Fritts, AARP Colorado's director of advocacy, encouraged the small crowd of about 20 residents to continue contacting their elected officials to oppose repeal and replace attempts.

"We would not have stopped this stuff if people weren't making calls. This would have already gone through. It does make a difference -- call," Fritts said.

All repeal and replace bills have had one thing in common, Fritts said. They cut reliable federal aid for Medicaid. She also blasted an "age tax," which would allow insurance companies to charge those 50 or older up to five times more for premiums than younger Americans. Even if legislators move from health care to tax reform, AARP representatives still will be fighting for health care, she said. Mention of a tax bill that threatens to cut $500 billion from Medicare and replace it with a voucher program elicited groans from the audience.

"It's mostly aggravating and frustrating," said Greeley resident Gail Jackson. "You feel like there isn't much you can do about it, except stay informed and probably ... contact your elected officials in every shape and form possible."

Jackson's insurance plan is coming to an end in 2020. She's hoping to find a plan with similar coverage to what she has right now, but she doesn't expect to find a plan as affordable that offers the same kind of coverage. She said the nation's health care is in a scary situation.

"Most employers are giving less than living wages to their employees everywhere. If they can get away with no benefits, they're doing it," she said.

Jackson said not only do corporations need to be doing a better job to "pay their fair share," but oil and gas producers, too.

Carol Hedges, the Colorado Fiscal Institute's executive director, opened the forum by talking about the state's budget. Despite a growing economy, she said the state is struggling.

"When we don't have enough resources to fund K-12 education, transportation, higher education and other things, (legislators) have to be very creative looking around in that what we fund to figure out ways to meet our needs," Hedges said.

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