s_sa_2017a_2017-04-24t13:52:10z4 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/24/2017

Location: SCR 357

03:36 PM -- HB17-1235



Senator Coram and Senator Crowder, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1235 to the committee. This bill, as amended by the House Health, Insurance, and Environment Committee, 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:



• 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;

• live in one of the three insurance rating areas with the highest premiums; and

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



The bill limits the total amount of assistance provided through the program to $5.7 million from the General Fund. 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, or until $5.7 million is spent on the program, whichever occurs first. The financial assistance program may be administered by counties within the program area. 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.



03:40 PM -- Beth Reilly, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:44 PM -- Julia Kozusko, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:47 PM -- Jennifer Pronga, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:49 PM -- Jane Mather, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:56 PM -- Eileen Waldow, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



04:00 PM -- Grand County Commissioner Richard Cimino, representing Grand County and Counties and Commissioners Acting Together (CCAT), testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout to committee members (Attachment D).



17SenateState0424AttachD.pdf



04:03 PM -- Pitkin County Commissioner Rachel Richards, representing Pitkin County and CCAT, testified in support of the bill.



04:07 PM -- Summit County Commissioner Dan Gibbs, representing Summit County, testified in support of the bill.



04:12 PM -- Natalie Wood, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill.



04:15 PM -- Tim Gaudette, representing Small Business Majority, testified in support of the bill.



04:18 PM -- Emily Michels, representing the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill.





04:23 PM



Senators Crowder and Coram wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.