New Colorado survey highlights disparities in health care [Video]

DENVER — A new Colorado survey highlights major differences in health care for people of color, as well as the LGBTQ community. While the numbers were startling, advocates in the community said they were not surprising.

“We know that that is common in our community,” said Jax Gonzalez, policy director at One Colorado, a LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. “That’s why we’re moving forward with a multilayer approach to increase access, to decrease stigma and to increase resources for people here in Colorado.”

For the survey, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, a nonpartisan organization, polled 1,400 people. According to the survey, 36% of LGBTQ people rationed medication due to cost. That’s compared with 24% of non-LGBTQ individuals.

“That number I bet would go even higher if we broke it down by identity further,” Gonzalez said. “It is really disheartening to know that such a large majority …