Denver, Colo.– Connect for Health Colorado is celebrating Senate Bill 26-178 becoming law. The new law directly increases affordability for customers served by the state’s official health insurance marketplace. It protects programs funded through the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise—including Colorado Premium Assistance and OmniSalud—at the same levels for another year.
In particular, the new law would enable the Colorado Premium Assistance program to continue to meaningfully reduce monthly health insurance premiums for Coloradans.
Kevin Patterson, chief executive officer of Connect for Health Colorado, released the following statement about Senate Bill 26-178.
“Connect for Health Colorado is grateful to the General Assembly, state Division of Insurance, and the Governor’s office for their support of Senate Bill 26-178, which will extend the state’s Colorado Premium Assistance program at its current levels through plan year 2027.
In plan year 2026, Colorado Premium Assistance has provided tremendous support for our customers. Despite significant changes to federal financial help, the program has stabilized costs and helped Coloradans get and stay covered.
This year, the program helped reduce premium costs for more than 176,000 people. For households that receive financial help, it is providing meaningful savings and keeping coverage costs about the same as they were in 2025. Colorado Premium Assistance has also helped prevent a steep drop in enrollment, especially among customers ages 26 to 34.
Colorado and other states with premium assistance programs saw smaller enrollment decreases this year than states without similar programs. Customers who received Colorado Premium Assistance also reported higher satisfaction with their health insurance choices and fewer concerns about costs.
As part of the funding mechanism for the new law, Connect for Health Colorado offered to redirect up to $9 million from its annual operating budget to help pay for innovative state affordability initiatives like Colorado Premium Assistance, reinsurance and OmniSalud. We offered this funding because we believe deeply in these programs and the support they provide for our customers.
The reduction in funding for our operating budget will have no effect on our ability to serve our customers. In fact, it returns money to taxpayers and our customers, and it aligns with our mission to expand access, affordability and choice for Coloradans who purchase health insurance through the individual market.
By continuing this essential financial help through plan year 2027, Senate Bill 26-178 will help preserve access to affordable health insurance and choice for tens of thousands of Coloradans. Through innovative programs like Colorado Premium Assistance, reinsurance, and OmniSalud, Colorado is leading the way in keeping health coverage within reach.”
