Colorado Consumer Health Initiative

Health Coverage That Counts: A Legislative Package for Colorado Consumers

cohealth — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:16:31 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

For more information:

Katie Reinisch, 303-653-1009

Rep. Morgan Carroll, 303-726-1742

COLORADO

MAJORITY COMMUNICATIONS

STATE CAPITOL

AIR Healthcare Bill and Insurance Accountability Act Go to Governor

(Denver) Two major pieces of health insurance reform overcame fierce resistance and passed through the legislature in its final hours today.

Legislators supported the FAIR Act (Fair & Accountable Insurance Rates) which aims to drive down health insurance companies’ rising rates. The final version of the bill passed out of the House on a 42-22 vote and now awaits the Governor’s signature.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) and Senator Paula Sandoval (Denver,) will empower Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner to watchdog proposed insurance rate increases. Insurers will be required to justify rate increases before they can take effect.

In explaining House Bill 1389, Rep. Carroll said: "If it seems like we are paying more for less, it’s because we are. Consumers are unhappy with ever-increasing rates and ever-declining coverage. The FAIR Act begins to address that by making sure that our health care is the insurance industries’ bottom line."

"The implications of over-priced health care are obvious: The primary reason people go uninsured or that businesses drop health insurance coverage is because premiums are not affordable," Said Rep. Carroll. "Yet, Colorado law does not require insurance companies to justify their rate increases before they take effect. That means there is no meaningful oversight on insurance rates in Colorado. There is not real competition in the market to drive down prices."

"The FAIR Act creates a watch-dog over the insurance industry to work on behalf of families and businesses. When rates do go up, we will track the reasons why and make that information available to the public. We will track how much of premium dollars go to actual benefits in what is called a benefits ratio. This kind of law enabled California to save consumers $700 million last year because the insurance rates were found to be excessive and unjustified by the Insurance Commissioner."

38 other states require prior review before insurance rate hikes can take effect.

"Expensive coverage equals no coverage for many Colorado families and businesses. Insurance rates are out of control, driving up the number of uninsured and increasing costs for everyone," said Rep. Carroll. "Coloradans have been paying more for less every year. It’s time to challenge unjustified rate increases. Our health should be their bottom line."

House Bill 1407, known as the Insurance Accountability Act, also passed today on a 43-20 vote and now heads to the Governor for his signature. The legislation sponsored by House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon makes the insurance industry pay what they owe, when they owe it.

The Insurance Accountability Act will strengthen consumer protection. Insurance companies that unreasonably delay or deny benefit payments will face stiffer penalties.

SENATE APPROVES FAIR INSURANCE ACT

cohealth — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:45:40 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 05, 2008

CONTACT
BEN MARTER
303-866-5288

DENVER—Today the Senate voted 22-13 in favor of HB08-1389—the Fair Accountable Insurance Rates Act—which would require transparency and create a framework for fair practices in the health insurance industry.

Sponsored by Senator Paula Sandoval (D-Denver) and Representative Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora), the FAIR Act would require insurance companies to justify rate increases before they could take effect and would give the Insurance Commissioner the power to reject unjustified rate hikes. The bill would also require full transparency to allow Colorado consumers and policymakers to follow their health care dollars and make informed choices based on hard data.

“As a small business owner, I know how important it is to offer health insurance to my employees,” said Sandoval. “It gets harder every year. My rates go up and my coverage goes down, and no one can tell us why.”

“Colorado currently lacks the necessary oversight on insurance rates which leads to Colorado consumers paying more for less,” said Carroll. “This increases the number of uninsured people in our state and increases costs to both consumers and taxpayers.”

Under the bill, the commissioner is required to reject a rate increase when benefits are not reasonable in relation to the premiums charged, the rate increase is unjust, unfair, inequitable, discriminatory, excessive, or inadequate, claims experience and data do not justify the increase, or the rate filing is incomplete. The bill would also create a penalty for a person or organization that knowingly provides false or misleading information.

HB08-1389 next heads back to the House for concurrence.

F.A.I.R. – Fair & Accountable Insurance Rates — Act

cohealth — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:07:20 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 03, 2008

COLORADO
MAJORITY COMMUNICATIONS
STATE CAPITOL

Health Coverage That Counts
a legislative package for Colorado consumers
(DENVER) Last Sunday, state lawmakers announced a legislative agenda aimed at reducing the cost of health care.

Tomorrow, the FAIR – Fair & Accountable Insurance Rates – Act, sponsored by Representative Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) will be introduced. The FAIR Act will empower Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner to watchdog insurance rate increases and insurance companies will be required to justify rate increases before they can take effect.

"It’s time to take on the insurance industry and their unjustified rate increases,” said. Rep. Carroll. “Our health should be their bottom line.”

FACT: Colorado rates are 7^th from the top in cost compared to other states and have grown 60% over the past 5 years, yet we have one of the healthiest populations. (SOURCE: Association of Health Insurance Plans).

FACT: The insurance industry retained surplus of $600 billion as of the end of 2006, more than doubling recommended levels. (that’s in addition to reserves, claims, profits and admin) (SOURCE: Consumer Federation of America, Jan. 8, 2007).

FACT: This $600 billion in surplus is more than the entire Gross Domestic Product of 193 countries. (SOURCE: CIA World Fact Book 2007, Wikipedia)

Health Coverage That Counts

cohealth — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:57:50 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, March 30, 2008

For more information:

Katie Reinisch, 303-653-1009

Speaker Romanoff, 720-530-5525

COLORADO
MAJORITY COMMUNICATIONS
STATE CAPITOL

Healthcare Bills Aim to Cut Costs, Hold Insurance Industry Accountable

(Denver) State lawmakers, joined by small business owners and consumers, announced a legislative package aimed at reducing the cost of health care at the state capitol today. The new legislation aims to watchdog health insurance companies’ rising rates and to push insurance companies to pay consumers what they are owed.

Representative Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) will introduce legislation this week to empower Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner to watchdog insurance rate increases. Under the FAIR Act—Fair & Accountable Insurance Rates – insurance companies will be required to justify rate increases before they can take effect.

"Expensive coverage equals no coverage for Colorado families and businesses. Insurance rates are out of control, driving up the number of uninsured and increasing costs for everyone," said Rep. Carroll. "Coloradans have been paying more for less every year. Rate increases should be justified so that we at least know why our rates go up when they do. It’s time to take on the insurance industry and their unjustified rate increases. Our health should be their bottom line."

“Consumers should have basic information about why healthcare premiums are skyrocketing,” said Dede de Percin, Executive Director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. “This bill establishes a fair and reasonable process to keep insurers from making excessive profits off the lives and health of hardworking Coloradans.”

House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon announced that they will introduce the “Insurance Accountability Act of 2008”, which will push insurance companies to pay consumers what they are owed for valid claims.

“Too many Coloradans have to fight their insurance company just to get what they already paid for," said the Speaker. "Our message to the insurance industry is simple: ‘Pay what you owe — when you owe it.’"

“It’s our job in government to protect consumers from unfair business practices. Insurance companies should be penalized for wrongful acts against consumers,” said Representative Gwyn Green (D-Golden). Rep. Green’s House Bill 1228, which allows Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner to penalize insurance companies for wrongful acts against consumers, awaits final approval in the general assembly.

Peggy Mason told her story: she is insured but her company won’t pay her claims. In October, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Her insurance company would not cover any treatment, not even a single x-ray. She was told that her policy did not cover major medical care, even though her policy clearly states that it does and it was sold to her as a medical policy. Her house, her savings, her car and her IRA have all been threatened.

Small-business owner Rita Crompton told of her struggles to find affordable health insurance coverage for herself and her employees at her consulting business. Rita said that all of her employees work less than full-time and are uninsured. They take that risk rather than work elsewhere as full-time employees for less pay. Recently, Rita was forced to pay for a biopsy – upfront. Not having insurance is stressful for Rita, and she has had to make a difficult choice - making her premiums every month or paying her mortgage.

Lack of health insurance costs Colorado lives

cohealth — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:42:25 +0000

Associated Press
Wednesday, March 26, 2008

DENVER — A new report by a national health-care advocacy group says one person dies each day in Colorado because they don’t have health insurance.

The report by the New York-based Families USA is based on a national study by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

The report says people without health insurance often forgo checkups and other preventive care and are more likely to be diagnosed with a disease in the advanced stages. The study found that between 2000 and 2006, an estimated 2,100 adults in Colorado between 25 and 64 died because they didn’t have health insurance.

Second Annual Health Care Day of Action a Huge Success

cohealth — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:14:48 +0000

This Monday, March 3, 2008 over 200 people attended the Second Annual Health Care Day of Action to share their healthcare stories with legislators and demand affordable, accessible and accountable health care. Participants enjoyed breakfast and gathered in the Old Supreme Court Chambers for the opening session with presentations by Sandi Lyman, Education and Outreach Coordinator for Colorado Consumer Health Initiative and Leslie Moody, Executive Director of the Partnership for Working Families. Participants then broke out into delegations and joined in a training on how to talk to legislators and went with their delegations to call legislators off the floor.

After meeting with their Legislators, participants gathered on the West steps of the Capitol for a rally and press conference on Health Care Day of Action. Around 300 people attended as well as 5 news stations and numerous print outlets. Speakers included Dede de Percin, Executive Director for Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, Regina Hathorne, Stage IV Breast Cancer Survivor, Rev. Patrick Demmer, Pastor of Graham Memorial Community Church Of God In Christ and Governor Bill Ritter.

Lunch with Legislators followed at the Central Presbyterian Church where thirteen Representatives and Senators attended to speak with their constituents and all Health Care Day of Action participants about health care.

Through collaborations with ProgressNow, people who were unable to travel to the Capitol were able to participate in a virtual day of action and over 1200 emails to Legislators were generated as a result.

Overall, participants were excited to join in individualized training on talking to their Legislators and were pleased to see how receptive and accessible their Legislators were. We look forward to putting on an even bigger and better event next year!

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Strengthens Healthcare Reform Advocacy in Colorado

cohealth — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:45:09 +0000

Colorado Voices for Coverage (CVC) announced on Thursday, February 7, 2008 that they have been selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to participate in a 3-year $750,000 grant project to strengthen health care reform efforts in Colorado.

CVC is a coalition led by the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, and includes the Business Health Forum, Colorado Progressive Coalition, and Colorado Council of Churches. They will participate in the Consumer Voices for Coverage initiative, a joint project of RWJF and Community Catalyst, which concentrates broadly on state health care reform initiatives.

“Being chosen to receive this grant demonstrates that health care experts nationwide are looking to our state to set a strong national standard on strategies that will increase the number of residents who have health insurance,”

- Dede de Percin, Executive Director, CCHI

Initiated by RWJF, Consumer Voices for Coverage will enhance the critical role that advocates play in shaping and promoting comprehensive health reform. The $15 million initiative will strengthen existing advocacy networks in 12 states. Community Catalyst, a national non-profit consumer health advocacy organization headquartered in Boston, will coordinate the effort nationwide.

“Colorado Voices for Coverage has over 40 years of experience as leaders in efforts to reform health care in Colorado. We are excited to work with such a strong coalition to increase the momentum towards action in this state,” said Susan T. Sherry, deputy director of Community Catalyst, who directs Consumer Voices for Coverage. “Supporting networks that bring the views of real people to policy-makers and key thought leaders in the states about the need for coverage expansion can be a powerful inducement for reform.”

The CVC Coalition will be closely coordinating efforts to expand coverage for all Coloradans with the 2010 All Kids Covered Initiative, led by the Colorado Children’s Campaign. The 2010 All Kids Covered Initiative also announced on Thursday that they will be jointly supported by the Packard Foundation and The Colorado Health Foundation as part of the Packard Foundation’s Finish Line Project, which focuses on providing coverage for all children.

—-The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Staff

cohealth — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:50:15 +0000

Governor Spells Out 2008 Agenda

cohealth — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:04:00 +0000

Thursday, January 10, 2008 - 1:55 PM

Denver Business Journal - by Bob Mook Denver Business Journal

Echoing the themes laid out by the Senate and House leaders on Wednesday, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday laid out his priorities for 2008 in a state-of-the-state address that was packed with big ideas but thin on funding specifics.

During his 53-minute speech, Ritter discussed the familiar themes of education reform, economic development and health care.

Regarding education, Ritter said he supported recommendations from the P-20 Education Coordinating Council to offer full-day kindergarten to 22,000 more children and increasing funding for the state’s colleges and universities. He also outlined a proposal that aims to align content standards for K-12 with college admission standards.

In economic development, the governor touted increasing the business personal property tax exemption threshold from $2,500 to $7,000, a move he said will reduce the tax burden for more than 30,000 Colorado small businesses.

Ritter also said he would support a $3.5 million annual fund supporting life and bio-sciences businesses. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment for the renewable energy such as wind farms, alternative fuels and solar energy, which he has dubbed "the new energy economy."

"Last year, I said that the new energy economy will become Colorado’s calling card for the 21st century, and it has," Ritter said. Citing deals such as Vestas Wind Systems’ $60 million wind turbine manufacturing plant in Windsor, Ritter said the new energy economy promises "to bring jobs to every corner of Colorado."

To stimulate growth in the state’s new energy economy, Ritter said he supports plans to create a Colorado Carbon Fund, which will provide financial incentives for businesses and individuals to install solar energy panels on their rooftops or to insulate structures.

In health care, Ritter stopped short of promising sweeping, comprehensive reform for the next session, but said he remains committed to his goal of giving all Coloradans access to quality, affordable health coverage. [Read the rest of this article]

Medical bills pile up, even for insured

cohealth — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:27:22 +0000

Health policies offer some protection, but patients increasingly are struggling to pay a growing share of the bill by themselves.

By Katy Human
The Denver Post

Article Last Updated: 12/14/2007 02:04:55 AM MST

Nita Schissell of Loveland faced bills totaling more than $20,000 for treatment of breast cancer even with a health insurance plan that pays 80 percent of costs. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post )

Nearly 1.1 million Coloradans will spend more than 10 percent of their income on health care next year — despite the fact that most of them have health insurance, according to a study released Thursday.

Ten percent is the cutoff most policy analysts use to determine who is "underinsured," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA and a study author.

"Insurance no longer offers the protection that American families need," said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver, who participated with the advocacy group in a telephone news conference Wednesday.

"This is a sobering report and one we really need to stand up and take notice of," DeGette said.

About 300,000 Coloradans will spend even more on health care — a quarter of their family’s income — although three in four of those will have insurance, the report calculates.

For a household earning $52,000, the state’s median, that means $13,000 or more spent on premiums, co-pays and other health expenses. [Read the rest of this story]