The cost of healthcare for individuals and businesses has risen dramatically in the last few years. This is due to factors such as an aging population, excessive malpractice payments, the high cost of research, and too many government regulations.

More competition in health care would help level out these costs. This could include free market surgery centers, lowering the patent protection on new drugs from nineteen to seven years, importation of safe and affordable drugs, and allowing individuals to deduct their health care premiums. Creative ways to lower premiums include medical savings accounts and using higher deductibles.

The Medicaid system needs reform. The state of Colorado spends 1.9 billion in Medicaid expenditures. An independent task force or a joint legislative committee should be appointed to investigate abuses of the system and recommend strategies to reduce the cost.