FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Healing Denver Announces Five Former Mayors and Current Mayor of Denver all Endorse the Denver Health Ballot Measure
DENVER (July 25, 2024) – Healing Denver, an organization established to advocate for increased funding for Denver Health, announced on Thursday morning that five former mayors, and current Mayor Johnston, all endorse the ballot measure in November for sustainable, long-term funding to ensure the continued success of Denver Health. In November, voters will have the chance to vote for a .34% sales tax to raise approximately $65 million annually for Denver Health’s operating budget.
Mayor Federico Peña (1983-1991) said that “health care is fundamental to the quality of life of our city, to the economy of our city, to the growth of our city. Denver Health is really the backbone in many ways of providing health care to the broader community. The success and stability of Denver depends on the strength of Denver Health. We must provide a sustainable revenue stream to the hospital that has taken care of our city for decades, and we have that chance this election.”
Mayor Wellington Webb (1991-2003) said “we’ve got some of the best paramedics in the world, some of the best doctors and nurses because they want to be in a facility that has a public mission. We don’t turn anyone away. We have the responsibility to continue to uplift those that are less fortunate and take care of all citizens of Denver, regardless of economic status or background.”
Senator John Hickenlooper, mayor of Denver from 2003-2011, said "I firmly believe that access to health care is a right, not a privilege. We must work together to ensure that no matter where you live, who you are, or how much you earn, everyone has access to high-quality, affordable health care. Denver Health puts that into practice every hour of every day. This tax measure will go a long way to ensuring that access is here for all."
“Denver Health has helped a lot of people succeed that have added so much to our community and needed help along the way. To me, that’s what makes Denver Health so important” said Mayor Guillermo Vida (2011).
“Denver Health keeps this city healthy and keeps this city safe,” said Mayor Michael Hancock (2011-2023). “The vitality of this city really rides on the shoulders of Denver Health. The reality is this, when talking about why the community should support Denver Health and vote for this ballot measure in November, we have the best public health hospital in the country right here in Denver.”
“Denver Health is the state’s only true safety net hospital”, said Mayor Mike Johnston. “No matter who you are, you know that when you go to Denver Health you are going to get world class care. We have some of the best practitioners in the nation that work in this hospital system because they care about serving those who need us the most. I think Denver Health is one of the great jewels of the city, and fully support the ballot measure to provide funding for Denver Health”.
In 2023 alone, Denver Health provided over $100 million worth of uncompensated care to Denver residents. Currently, the hospital receives approximately $31 million from the City and County of Denver, a number that has not increased since 1996. The funding from the tax measure will go toward emergency and trauma care, primary medical care, mental health care, pediatric care, drug and alcohol use recovery, and to enhance staffing and equipment to increase patient access to Denver Health services.
For more information, please visit healingdenver.org
You can hear the remarks here