Denver Council Introduces Bill to Boost Sales Tax for Healthcare: Will Voters Support the Move?

In an effort to provide financial support to Denver Health and alleviate the burden of unpaid medical bills for patients, the Denver City Council has introduced a bill that proposes a 0.34% increase in the city’s sales tax. This increase would be used specifically to fund Denver Health’s efforts to provide care to those who cannot afford it due to a lack of health insurance.

In 2023, Denver Health reported $140 million in unpaid medical bills and is struggling to maintain its current cost of care without additional funding. One factor contributing to this issue is the lack of growth in city funding specifically designated for unpaid medical bills over the past 15 years, combined with the population increase.

Some council members have raised concerns about the potential impact of this proposal on the city’s sales tax rate, which would place Denver among the top 11 highest-taxed cities in Colorado if approved. However, supporters argue that this increase is necessary in order to provide much-needed funding for healthcare services and ensure that all residents have access to affordable and comprehensive care.

The first reading of the bill will take place at Monday night’s meeting, with the council scheduled to make its final vote on June 24th before placing it on the November ballot for voters’ consideration.