(St@teside Published September 24, 2007)

California:

On September 10, 2007, the Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Healthcare Reform reviewed four health care proposals being considered to expand health coverage to the state's estimated 792,000 uninsured residents. [1] Two of the plans, proposed by the Colorado State Association for Health Underwriters and the Committee for Colorado Health Solutions, respectively, would require all state residents to obtain health insurance. The state would provide subsidies to residents who cannot afford to obtain health insurance. A third plan, proposed by the Health Care for All Colorado Coalition would establish a single-payer health care system administered by the state, and a fourth plan proposed by the Service Employees International Union would expand state health insurance programs and establish a large health insurance purchasing pool. [2] Modeling work has been completed for the four proposals.

A fifth proposal, to be voted on September 24, has been described as a “parking lot” of good ideas from the four modeled proposals. [3] The plan would include an individual health insurance mandate enforced by a tax penalty imposed on those who do not acquire insurance. The state would be required to provide subsidies, on a sliding scale based on income, for low-income families. Likewise, low-income workers who qualify for a government subsidy would be required to use that money to purchase employer-sponsored health insurance if it is offered and costs less than the state insurance plan. The fifth proposal would also expand the state Medicaid program and require private health insurers in the state to offer several low-cost, limited-coverage plans capped at $50,000 in benefits. [4] Should the Commission approve the fifth proposal, it will move forward to have this final proposal modeled to understand the greater implications of its implementation.

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[1] “Healthy Debate Awaits State”, The Colorado Springs Gazette, September 13, 2007, http://www.gazette.com/articles/health_27194___article.html/percent_care.html

[2] “The Price of Wellness”, The Denver Post, August 22, 2007, http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6683496

[3] “Reform Commission Mulls Proposal with Individual Coverage Mandate”, BNA Health Care Policy Report, September 17, 2007

[4] “Health Panel Eyes 5 th Option”, The Denver Post, September 11, 2007, http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6856813