Vote Yes on 2Q: Invest in our community’s health

For 164 years, Denver Health has been the backbone of our community, providing essential health care to all residents. As the number of patients has surged to over 280,000 in the last two decades — more than doubling — our health care system has not received an increase in city funding to support these critical services. This November, we have a chance to change that with ballot measure 2Q.

Voting “Yes” on 2Q is a powerful statement of care for our community. It’s a commitment to ensuring that high-quality health care is available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. From responding to emergencies and treating trauma patients to providing in-school health services for over 16,000 Denver Public School students, Denver Health serves families throughout our city. Importantly, it does all this without turning away any resident, regardless of their ability to pay.

The reality is that delivering quality health care is becoming increasingly expensive. Rising labor costs, escalating prices for supplies, and higher pharmaceutical costs are pressing challenges that cannot be ignored. While Denver Health has already made strides by reducing personnel and operational expenses and increasing revenue through new partnerships, these measures alone are not enough to sustain the high level of care that our community deserves. We need a dedicated revenue stream, and 2Q provides that opportunity.

Denver Health is a resource for everyone — whether you’re a business professional navigating downtown, a child in a local school, or a longtime resident. This is why Yes on 2Q has garnered support from a wide array of organizations, including the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and the Denver Public School Board. The breadth of this support underscores the importance of Denver Health to the entire city.

Before advocating for this measure, we engaged in an exhaustive process, forming a Task Force that included elected officials, business leaders, community members, and health care experts. We held community meetings to gather input and conducted discussions with city, state, and federal elected officials to ensure that we chart the right path forward. The consensus was to create a permanent stream of revenue, from a slight sales tax increase, to give Denver Health the ability to keep providing high-quality care to everyone in Denver.

It’s disappointing to see this newspaper’s flat-out “no” on 2Q, which seems ill-informed.

The argument against 2Q — that Denver Health funds care for immigrants — misses the larger picture. The truth is that the increasing demand for care spans all demographics, with many needing assistance without insurance. The city’s contribution is simply not keeping pace with the rising costs of care for everyone who needs it.

Health care is a fundamental right, and it shouldn’t be a struggle to access it. A “Yes” on 2Q is an affirmation of our shared values and a step toward a healthier, more equitable Denver. Let’s invest in the health of our community — vote “Yes” on 2Q!

Donna Lynne is CEO of Denver Health.