BY JOHN SCHROYER
THE COLORADO STATESMAN

At the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual health care policy breakfast Friday morning, economist Len Nichols received a rousing ovation even after informing a room full of business leaders that they should not be afraid of government mandates.

“I submit to you that a mandate can be your friend,” Nichols argued in his hour-long presentation. Nichols, the director of the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation and a former Clinton appointee, told his audience that what is needed is heightened cooperation between private companies, health insurance providers, the government, and consumers.

“I tell you, it’s not a question of charity. It’s a question of stewardship. We’re spending money stupidly,” Nichols said, and added that it would cost less to provide basic health insurance than it currently does to provide care for unintended illnesses and related costs.

He argued there was a balance to be struck between the free market and government regulation, and that message — perhaps surprisingly — resonated within the crowd that morning. (more…)

State Blue Ribbon panel will hold public meeting here May 12

The issue of access to health care could be compared to the weather.

Everybody complains about it, but nobody does anything about it.

But that may change May 12, when Northern Colorado residents are invited to share what principles they believe should be a part of any health reform plan, including specific features. The opportunity to offer suggestions comes at a Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform.

The state Legislature, at the behest of Gov. Bill Owens, created the commission in 2006 to bring forth recommendations for comprehensive health-care reform. The diverse panel, appointed by governors Owens and Bill Ritter and state House and Senate leaders, is expected to address issues of the uninsured, underinsured and those at risk of financial hardship due to the costs of medical care. (more…)

One of Colorado’s largest business groups on Monday urged Gov. Bill Ritter to veto a bill that would prohibit insurers from considering employees’ health and claims histories when setting health insurance premiums for small businesses.

The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the statewide chamber of commerce, said during a news conference Monday at the state Capitol that House Bill 1355 could result in rate hikes for nearly two- thirds of small businesses in Colorado. That in turn could prompt healthy people to drop their coverage, potentially pushing insurance premiums higher overall, the group said.

"We are concerned about the potential aftermath of this bill," said Ralph Pollack, an official with the association.

The bill, which applies only to businesses with 50 or fewer workers, would essentially reverse a 2003 legislative change that allowed insurance companies to offer premium discounts to businesses with relatively healthier workers. (more…)