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DENVER (AP) — A new plan for government-run health care that covers everyone is coming from a surprising corner: Colorado, a politically moderate swing state.
Universal coverage proposals have failed time and again in the United States.
Left-leaning Vermont recently pursued such a system, then abandoned it as too expensive. President Barack Obama's health care law doesn't cover everyone and has sparked enormous political backlash.
Colorado's plan would cost $25 billion a year, collected through a new 10 percent payroll tax. Supporters argue Colorado collectively spends more than that now on health care.
Voters would have to agree to the plan, which is so big it would nearly double the size of state government overnight. Many are skeptical that promised savings would materialize.
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