Denver voters will have several proposed tax increases to consider on the upcoming ballot. Measure 2Q, in particular, is a 0.34 percent sales tax increase to support Denver Health. The hospital estimates it could raise between $65 million to $70 million annually, as they predict a loss of $155 million this year due to uncompensated care.
Supporters argue that this increase is necessary to prevent cuts that would impact city residents, especially those in underserved communities. Denver native Alfredo Reyes, whose family has received care at Denver Health, attests to the importance of the hospital’s services. He emphasizes that without Denver Health, it would have been difficult for his parents to receive critical care.
Denver Health serves low-income populations but struggles with managing uncompensated care. Dr. Alexandre Padilla, an economics expert, suggests that taxpayer contributions could incentivize hospitals to operate more efficiently. While there is no organized opposition to Measure 2Q at the moment, Denver could potentially have the highest overall tax rate among major Colorado cities if the measure passes along with others.
Ultimately, Denver voters will need to weigh the benefits of the proposed tax increases against the potential impact on their wallets, with the city sales tax rate potentially surpassing 9 percent if all measures are approved.
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