Sen. Jim Smallwood’s bill to shut down the Connect for Health Colorado health-insurance exchange by the end of 2018 was killed on Monday, May 8, according to the Denver Business Journal. Sen. Smallwood indicated he would continue working on reforming the bill over the summer, either looking for more bi-partisan support or finding a way for the bill to attract more insurers.
The bill, introduced on the first day of Colorado’s 2017 legislative session, sought to address the state’s health care exchange. In particular, supporters cited 14 different counties that only have one insurance provider.
“The most important thing for Senate Bill 3 is to make sure the message doesn’t get lost,” said Sen. Smallwood according to the Denver Business Journal. “I know for a fact that this is an organization that can do better.”
Earlier this year, NFIB/Colorado State Director Tony Gagliardi issued a statement supporting the repeal of the state exchange.
“NFIB believes it’s time for a top-to-bottom evaluation of the structure, philosophies, and financial accounting of the exchange,” said Gagliardi. “Since its inception … the exchange has failed to reduce premiums small-business owners pay on behalf of their employees, choices of the types of plans have become fewer, and carriers continue to abandon the exchange.”
