h_hie_2017a_2017-03-30t14:34:39z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/30/2017

Location: HCR 0107

03:15 PM -- HB 17-1235



Representatives Mitsch Bush and Hamner presented House Bill 17-1235 to the committee, along with three handouts (Attachment C, D, and E) and amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachment F and G). This bill establishes a financial assistance program for persons purchasing health insurance though the state's heath insurance exchange (Connect for Health Colorado) who meet the following conditions:



170330 AttachC.pdf170330 AttachD.pdf170330 AttachE.pdf



• have income between 400 percent and 500 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL);

• have insurance premiums greater than 15 percent of their household income; and

• do not have access to health coverage through a government program or affordable, employer-sponsored health insurance.



The amount of assistance provided is equal to the costs of the least expensive bronze plan available to the enrollee minus 15 percent of household income. Assistance is provided quarterly following the end of a calendar quarter in which an eligible enrollee maintained and paid for a health plan through Connect for Health Colorado. The assistance program will run from July 1, 2017, through December 31, 2018. The financial assistance program may be administered by counties. If a county is not willing to administer the program, Connect for Health Colorado will administer the program for that county. The bill creates a special 60-day open enrollment period starting on June 1, 2017.





03:36 PM -- Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne testified in support of the bill.



03:53 PM -- Tamara Drengstveit, representing Family & Intercultural Resource Center, testified in support of the bill.



03:56 PM -- Kate Hudnut, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:58 PM -- Chris Neuswanger, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



04:01 PM -- Jill Ryan, Eagle County Commissioner, testified in support of the bill.



04:07 PM -- Rachel Richards, Pitkin County Commissioner, representing Colorado Counties & Commissioners Acting Together, testified in support of the bill.



04:11 PM -- Dan Gibbs, Summit County Commissioner, testified in support of the bill.



04:24 PM -- Debra Judy, representing the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill.



04:28 PM -- Kate Harris, representing Connect for Health Colorado, testified in a neutral position.





04:30 PM



Representative Hamner explained L.001 (Attachment F).



170330 AttachF.pdf

04:31 PM



Representative Mitsch Bush explained L.002 (Attachment G).



170330 AttachG.pdf

04:38 PM



Representatives Mitsch Bush and Hamner wrapped up their presentation to the committee.