Our View: Health care bill steps in the right direction Durango, Colorado Currently Wed 4% chance of precipitation 56% chance of precipitation 8% chance of precipitation Health care bill steps in right direction Wednesday, April 14, 2021 11:03 AM Toggle font size Escuchar en Español: Loading the Español audio player... Coloradans – and especially rural Southwest Coloradans – are in trouble when it comes to health care costs. Before the pandemic, about 11.2% of people in Southwest Colorado couldn’t afford medical insurance, compared to 6.5% for the entire state. Because workers who lost their jobs in 2020 likely also lost insurance, that 11.2% is certainly higher now. According to the Colorado Health Access Survey, even those with medical insurance in Colorado report skipping doctor visits when ill, struggling to pay medical bills and being unable to pay for rent, utilities, food and other necessities at times because of medical bills.