CEO Blog: Call for Clarity

To Our Valued Stakeholders,

I think all of us recognize a higher than usual level of uncertainty around the individual health insurance market at a time when health insurance companies should be finalizing their rates and plans for the coming year. Yesterday, Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner, Marguerite Salazar pointed that out in a letter to the nine members of the state’s congressional delegation.

The announcement prompted some coverage in The Denver Post and the Denver Business Journal.

Legislative Update

House Bill 17-1235, which is the measure that would provide financial assistance to some Coloradans with income falling between 400% and 500% of the federal poverty level, was passed out of the State House on Monday and was assigned to the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee. A hearing is scheduled this coming Monday.

In Recent News

A one-page summary of proposed amendments to the American Health Care Act became public yesterday and fanned coverage of renewed efforts by Republicans in Congress. According to a Health Affairs article, the package could be considered as early as next Thursday. This piece in Politico assesses the politics around the renewed conversation.

Two reports this week highlighted Colorado’s gains in signing up the “eligible but not enrolled” population. According to this Kaiser Family Foundation chart, Colorado saw the third highest rate in the country of increased Medicaid and CHP+ enrollments. In a fresh analysis of its 2015 data, the Colorado Health Institute noted our significant gains and those by Health First Colorado in reaching these folks.

Take care,

Kevin

Kevin Patterson, MURP, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Connect for Health Colorado