TABOR and HEALTH CARE
The so-called "Taxpayer's Bill of Rights" (TABOR) would restrict government spending by limiting the annual increase in government revenue to the growth in the rate of inflation and population. Colorado, which has lived with TABOR since 1992, offers harsh lessons on the inevitable effects of limiting spending in this way. TABOR squeezes certain sectors very hard, particularly health care.
OKLAHOMA currently faces critical gaps in providing health care.
- 20.1% of Oklahoma's population lacked health insurance in 2003-04
- This is the 3rd highest percentage among all states
- Only 67% of children aged 19 to 35 months are fully immunized in Oklahoma (2003)
- OK ranks 34th out of all 50 states
- Only 67.6% of pregnant women in Oklahoma receive adequate prenatal care
- OK ranks 47th out of all 50 states
COLORADO has seen health outcomes worsen since TABOR's passage:
- The rate of low-income children without insurance rose from 15% in 1992 to 29% in 2002
- Only 67% of pregnant women in Colorado receive adequate prenatal care (2003)
- CO ranks 48th today, whereas it ranked 23rd in 1990
- As a result of inadequate reimbursement, only 24% of Colorado pediatricans reported in 2003 that they accepted children enrolled in Medicaid, compared to 41% in 2000
- Colorado eliminated all state support to local and regional health agencies in 2002
TABOR would seriously undermine the state's ability to improve personal health among residents, a key component in ensuring the economic well-being of the state.
- Tying spending increases to inflation would strangle health care funding
- Between 1993 and 2003, the price of medical care rose by about 48%
- The overall inflation rate, however, rose by only 27%
- Tying spending increases to population growth would have severe consequences for the integrity of Medicaid in Oklahoma
- Between 2000 and 2004, the economic recession increased state Medicaid enrollment by 30%
- The total population in the state, however, grew by only 2%
- With the aging of the population, Oklahoma's health care costs will continue to grow exponentially
Under TABOR, Oklahoma would lack the resources to provide quality health care to children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.