CEO Blog: Support for Connect for Health Colorado®

We gained a lot of positive attention around the state and around the country Monday when we reported the record results of our fourth Open Enrollment period, with more than 175,000 plan selections and 12 percent ahead of last year’s mark. This account in The Denver Post was typical of what we saw in Colorado news outlets.

Legislative Update 

Tuesday’s state Senate Finance Committee debate also brought a lot of attention to our work and although the bill that would repeal our founding legislation did pass on a party line vote (3-2), there was a lot more praise for the accomplishments we have achieved over the last five years than criticism. 

The testimony that followed from about 48 individuals was predominantly in support of Connect for Health Colorado and against the bill. There were three mentions of our award winning Quick Cost and Plan Finder Tool. It is important to remember that we are very early in the process and there are still several steps ahead where the legislation can be modified or killed. 

In Recent News 

The state Division of Insurance and the Colorado Attorney General’s office on Thursday approved the acquisition of Rocky Mountain Health Plans by UnitedHealthcare. The deal will create a non-profit foundation funded by the $36.5 million sale, according to the Attorney General.

Early today the U.S. Senate approved the nomination of Georgia Congressman Tom Price for secretary of Health and Human Services. Many expect that approval to trigger more movement in the policy debate on healthcare reform at the federal level. You can read more in the New York Times.

Take care,

Kevin

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