Citing dozens of interviews with Colorado residents on both sides of the political spectrum, as well as people who consider themselves apolitical, The New York Times writes of a deep and symbolic skepticism in our state regarding the health-care bill being negotiated by Congress and the White House—a bill Democrats are working hard to sell to the American public, as mid-term elections approach.

Roughly one in six Coloradans are uninsured, and few of those interviewed—whether progressives who wanted a single-payer system or conservatives who want little or no government intervention—expect to benefit from the legislation. One of the major gripes is that Congress is too influenced by special interests.

Another common concern is articulated by Donny Seyfer, the manager of an auto repair shop: “With health care, we are not treating the root cause: Why does it cost so much?”

Yet another issue that’s causing concern is a measure in the Senate bill that imposes penalties of $750 on people who fail to comply with the insurance mandate, writes The Wall Street Journal, which notes potential constitutional battles over such issues.

Meanwhile, The Denver Post can’t say which hospitals in Colorado are the best for saving the lives of those diagnosed with cancer, because various federal and state organizations are not tracking cancer outcomes at hospitals.