Memorial lease question now before voters

Some are beginning to question the only question on a special election ballot that’s now before Colorado Springs voters.

On Aug. 28, city voters will decide if Colorado Springs can be leased to the University of Colorado Health system. The terms and conditions of that lease are not in the ballot language. It instead refers voters to a June City Council meeting that laid out the details of the deal. The simple ballot is being criticized by some.

“I didn’t hear much about this until a couple three weeks ago now the election is within three weeks I don’t think the people of Colorado Springs have been informed yet,” said Charles Prignano, who adds that the online group he’s been asked to speak for is not a political action group.

“I hate to use the word grassroots but that’s what this,” said Prignano. “We’re not incorporated, there is no committee; no group really. There’s a few individuals that have looked at this thing and said ‘What the heck is going on?'”

City Councilwoman Jan Martin believes there’s been plenty of discussion on the lease agreement. She’s been on the task force looking into the hospital’s future for the last three years. Martin said there have been around 50 public meetings since then and many of them were televised.

“We really do believe we have found the absolutely best option,” said Martin.

But some on the other side of the issue are wondering why a more lucrative deal was bypassed for the University deal.

“I found out that the City Council rejected a $500 million dollar offer for the hospital and now we’re accepting $241 million,” said Prignano. “That sounds like a garage sale to me.”

Martin argues that there are several reasons that the lower offer was more attractive to the city including the inclusion of a medical school tied at University of Colorado Colorado Springs and a smooth transition in terms of retirement options for hospital employees.

Another objection is over the belief that Memorial will become an abortion-friendly facility if it’s in the hands of University of Colorado Health. Martin said Memorial Hospital staff already perform abortions if it’s deemed medically necessary so there will in effect be no change to policy with the lease.

If you’d like to read more on the conditions agreed upon at the June meeting regarding the UCH lease agreement follow this link.

If you’d like to read more from the opposition follow this link.