Denver, Colorado - Today marks the start of Cover the Uninsured Week, a weeklong effort aimed at encouraging Congress to provide relief to the 46 million Americans who lack health insurance. Over the last five years, President Bush and Bush Republicans like Reps. Bob Beauprez and Marilyn Musgrave have stood by as the number of uninsured Americans has grown from 40 million to 46 million. Here in Colorado the number of Coloradans who lack health insurance has climbed to 767,000-an increase of 147,000 since 2000. [CPS, 10/05] Those who do have health insurance have been saddled with the skyrocketing cost of health care. In Colorado, premiums have increased by $1,048 over the last five years, a 68 percent jump. [KFF2005; MEPS 2005]

Instead of working to provide coverage for Coloradans Bush Republicans have cut back on vital health care programs, including $99 million in preventative and community health funding choosing instead to give huge windfalls to special interests. President Bush's most recent irresponsible budget cuts Medicare by $36 billion, resulting in $196,451,457 in cuts to hospitals, nursing homes and home health providers serving senior and people with disabilities in Colorado.

Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak today issued the following statement calling on Colorado's Republican Representatives to join Democrats in fighting for a health care system that works for everyone:

"Cover the Uninsured Week is a crucial opportunity to refocus on the need to provide every American with access to health care. Americans are fortunate to live in a country with the best medicine and the best doctors in the world, but President Bush and Bush Republicans have undermined the health security of Colorado's working families. From the dramatic increase in the number of uninsured, to the higher cost of health care, to the impact of their failed leadership on our businesses and families, the Bush Republicans have failed to stand up for working families.

"Instead of confronting America's health care crisis, President Bush and Bush Republicans have merely offered more of the same special interest-driven agenda. Together, America can do better. President Bush and Republicans in Washington should join Democrats in fighting for access to affordable health care for all Americans, not just those who can afford it."