The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), has released preliminary information about the health insurance plans and premiums for 2023 for the individual market (meaning health insurance plans for people who don’t get their insurance from an employer) and the small group market (for small businesses with 2-100 employees).
Though it has not made headlines in recent months, the government-run health insurance plan dubbed the “Colorado Option” is quietly being implemented by the state.
Business owners and chambers of commerce from across Colorado on Monday called on lawmakers to kill a pair of bills backed by Democrats in the General Assembly.
In a news conference organized by the National Federation of Independent Business, leaders of chambers in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction as well as business owners in Denver and Englewood came together to push back on what NFIB Colorado state director Tony Gagliardi described as “a legislative attack on the Colorado small business community by the Democratic majority.”
The coalition focused on two bills in particular: House Bill 21-1232 seeking to reduce health insurance premiums and Senate Bill 21-176, which would make changes to workplace discrimination laws.
Medical professionals in white coats were seen all over the state Capitol Friday, on hand to testify both for and against the Colorado Option Health Benefit Plan Act.
On the third try, House Bill 1232 got in front of the House Health & Insurance Committee Friday in a 10-hour hearing that drew more than 100 witnesses to the Capitol or to testify remotely.
But negotiations between bill sponsors and the healthcare industry that went on all day Friday meant that the bill was not ready for action, including amendments. That s now delayed until Tuesday.
The bill has been a battle royal between the Polis administration and the healthcare industry.