Colorado Access Supports Proposition EE
DENVER – Colorado Access announced its support of Proposition EE. If passed, the proposition will create a new tax on nicotine vaping products and raise existing taxes on tobacco products. The tax is projected to contribute more than $168 million just next year alone back into the Colorado economy. Colorado Access is one of more than 110 organizations across Colorado that is supporting Proposition EE.
“At Colorado Access, our vision is to see ‘healthy communities transformed by the care that people want at a cost we can all afford,’” said Gretchen McGinnis, senior vice president of healthcare systems and accountable care at Colorado Access. “Supporting Proposition EE means helping to end the teen vaping epidemic while increasing access and funding for education which both ultimately support better health for not only our members, but also all Coloradans.”
Taxes on tobacco products incrementally increase, starting in 2021. Vape products are currently not taxed. Proposition EE puts vape products in the same category as other tobacco products. All funds from Proposition EE are locked into state law and will be audited each year to ensure all money is going to where voters directed. The majority of tax revenue will fund education in Colorado through free preschool for all children in Colorado as well as help to offset budget cuts induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coloradans have many initiatives and propositions on the November election ballot. There are seven propositions and four amendments up for voter approval. For more information and to see your sample ballot, visit govotecolorado.com. For more information about Proposition EE, visit forcokids.com.
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About Colorado Access
Colorado Access is a local, nonprofit health plan that serves members throughout Colorado. The company’s members receive health care as part of Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) and Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) behavioral and physical health programs. The company provides care coordination services and administers behavioral health and physical health benefits for two regions as part of the Accountable Care Collaborative Program through Health First Colorado. To learn more about Colorado Access, visit coaccess.com.