It would be hard to find any American, of any political persuasion, who doesn’t think our tax code needs reform. Here in Colorado, it’s getting harder and harder for many families to buy a home, afford higher education, or save for retirement. Smart tax reform could simplify our tax returns and help hardworking Coloradans achieve their dreams.

But that’s not what the Republican bill does. Not only does it give the wealthiest people a tax break at the expense of the middle class, it hurts working Americans in all kinds of ways that have nothing to do with taxes.

Here are three ways that this so-called “tax reform” bill makes health care less affordable and less accessible for Coloradans:

1. It contains anti-choice “personhood” language that sets a precedent to limit abortion access for women. Not only does this have no place in a tax bill, Colorado voters have repeatedly rejected “personhood” (defining an embryo as a legal person) amendments by overwhelming margins. A woman’s health care and fertility choices including IVF are between her and her doctor, period. That’s why I offered an amendment to strip this language from the tax bill, but unfortunately, Republicans wouldn’t even allow a vote on it.

2. It raises health premiums. The bill includes backdoor efforts to destabilize the Affordable Care Act — it would cause major premium increases, an estimated 10 percent across the board, and leave 13 million additional Americans uninsured, including about 235,000 Coloradans.

3. It attacks Medicare. The bill blows a hole in the deficit so large that it will likely trigger an automatic cut to Medicare of more than $25 billion. That would be devastating for retirees across the country and further mortgage our children’s future.

If Republicans in Congress want to get serious about reforming our health care system, here are three things we could do instead to help get the job done:

1. Pass universal, single-payer health care. I’ve been calling for this for years.

2. Stop attacking women’s health care. And instead, provide funding for community health centers, reproductive health, and other vital programs that the most vulnerable families.

3. Expand mental health resources. Here in Colorado, even if folks can afford mental health care, too many have to drive hours to get it. We need innovative policies that bring mental health providers to underserved areas, and that lower the cost in the process.

Coloradans deserve real reform to expand coverage, lower costs, and improve the quality of health care. I’m committed to working on those solutions, with anyone of any political party, or persuasion, no matter what.