Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Health Insurance

Proposed insurance fee hikes spark fears of worsening affordability crisis
The Sum & Substance, Approved, State

Proposed insurance fee hikes spark fears of worsening affordability crisis

By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance In an effort to try and stop a massive exodus of individuals from the private insurance market, Colorado legislators are looking again at raising fees on all health-insurance policies in order to subsidize the premiums of state residents who face the highest costs. Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, said Friday that he is considering bringing a bill during the upcoming special session that would allow the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise to raise fees on all plans sold in the state by as much as 0.75%. The bill also would seek to impose a new $3 per-member-per-month fee on all stop-loss insurance policies that are purchased by self-insured employers to guard against catastrophic claims. The two fees could together raise about $100 mil...
Working Families Slammed as COVID Subsidies End: Health Premiums May Double
State, CBS News

Working Families Slammed as COVID Subsidies End: Health Premiums May Double

By Shaun Boyd | CBS News Republicans' sweeping measure to cut taxes and reduce spending is expected to hit the Senate floor next week. In addition to making big changes to Medicaid, the bill also allows tax credits for those who get health insurance on the state exchange to expire. Connect for Health Colorado says Coloradans on the exchange could see premiums increase by $3,000 a year if that happens. Approximately 80 percent of people who get insurance on the state exchange receive a federal subsidy. While credits were initially tied to income, the American Rescue Plan expanded them to everyone. In rural and mountain communities where insurance can run a family upwards of $30,000 a year, those credits have made insurance affordable for tens of thousands of Coloradans, including R...
NFIB Colorado urges lawmakers to tackle health insurance costs
Approved, NFIB, State

NFIB Colorado urges lawmakers to tackle health insurance costs

By NFIB The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Colorado’s leading small business advocacy organization, released a new health care policy paper entitled, “Addressing the Health Insurance Affordability Crisis for Small Businesses.” The findings reveal a dire prognosis for the small-group insurance market as employer-provided health coverage is becoming unsustainable for millions of small businesses and their employees.  “Health insurance costs are a major concern for Colorado small business owners,” said NFIB Colorado State Director Michael Smith. “These costs, paired with inflation and hiring shortages, are forcing small business owners to make difficult decisions like cutting back or closing permanently. HB1297 will further add to the rising cost of doing ...