Office of Saving People Money on Health Care Releases Report on Broad Financial Impacts of High Health Care Costs

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

New report furthers conversation on affordability in health care

DENVER  – The Office of Saving People Money on Health Care (OSPMHC) announced today the release of a new report highlighting the need for a holistic focus on health care affordability. The report illustrates the critical importance of addressing out-of-pocket expenses for consumers, which can cause significant financial and emotional distress especially for those living with chronic diseases. 

“As a cancer survivor, I know how stressful it can be to navigate the healthcare system while managing a chronic condition,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care. “This report highlights the very real emotional, physical, and financial hardships that the cost of health care can have on our communities and neighbors. My hope is that this report will be a call to action for our partners around the state.”

Financial and emotional stress is common for those with chronic illnesses and has profoundly negative consequences for the health and wellbeing of people. The voices of Coloradans who have struggled with these issues are at the heart of this report. The OSPMHC engaged a diverse coalition of partners to design a community-informed research approach in order to hear directly from Coloradans about the stresses that accumulate as a result of seeking care for chronic illnesses and their experiences with associated financial, mental, and physical health challenges. 

“What is abundantly clear, both in the academic research and from the stories that so many Coloradans generously shared, is that there are ample opportunities to advance access to care and resources, improve health outcomes, and secure financial stability for our neighbors,” said Lt. Governor Primavera.  

The OSPMHC hopes this information will foster conversations among community members, policy makers, and providers to collectively take action to further equitable access to affordable health care and improve the wellbeing of Coloradans. 

To learn more about the OSPMHC and explore the report, please visit the OSPMHC website

About the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care (OSPMHC)

The OSPMHC was established in 2019 via Executive Order B 2019 003. A critical part of the Polis-Primavera Administration and directed by Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, the OSPMHC aims to expand affordable and equitable access to quality care for all Coloradans.