One thing that can be said for this economy is that it’s an equal-opportunity offender. All of us are hurting. All of our families and even our government is faced with painful choices about what and where to cut out things we can no longer afford.
Our representatives and state senators cannot even consider adding new programs, no matter how great the need. And extending existing services is out of the question. Except in one instance.
Rep. Mark Ferrandino has introduced HB 1260, The Designated Beneficiaries Bill, would give Coloradans access to a low-cost and convenient method for making plans for end-of-life decisions, inheritance and medical decisions. And, amazingly, there is no cost to the state.
The Latina Initiative was founded in 2002 to help Latinas engage in the policy discussions that impact their families and their communities. And however opponents characterize HB 1260, we support this bill because it will allow all of us – men and women, rich, poor, and everything in between – to make responsible decisions for our families, at a price taxpayers can afford.
As a community, we encourage everyone to have a will so when someone dies, the state doesn’t have to guess how to divide the property.
We encourage everyone to have a power of attorney or will so if someone ends up in the hospital unable to make decisions, the hospital staff knows who can make decisions for that patient. We encourage everyone to plan for the unexpected, but recognize that many of us don’t.
Currently, the State of Colorado assists many people in designating who has the legal authority and responsibility to care for personal and property interests when the unexpected happens.
Anyone who goes to their county clerk’s office to obtain a marriage license makes a commitment to another and, at the same time, designates their husband or wife as the person who will make decisions in a medical emergency or at the end-of-life.
The process is not complicated. It doesn’t cost much. It just sets up Coloradans for medical and end-of-life occasions.
But many Latinas are not married – either by choice or they are widowed or divorced – and they too would like to designate someone to be responsible in the event of hospitalization or death.
Sure, all of us can go to an attorney and pay to have a last will, a living will, power of attorney, and all the other documents that we need.
But the cost can be prohibitive.
HB 1260 sets up a simple process where two unmarried adults fill out a form at the County Clerk and Recorder’s office and pay a small fee. It’s easy. It’s quick. It could save an individual thousands of dollars. And the small fee pays for the cost of the program.
At a time when the state legislature seems to be facing a menu of No’s, this bill seems like an easy and important Yes.
Dusti Gurule is executive director of the Latina Initiative Executive Director. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
