New Health Care Laws Bring Immediate Benefits to Coloradans

Colorado’s kids & families to see immediate benefits from new laws
going into effect today

Pictured from left to right: Rep. Gagliardi, Rep. Carroll, Rep. McGihon, Rep. Riesberg

DENVER – Dozens of new laws go into effect on July 1, including four critical health care bills that will provide immediate benefits to Colorado’s businesses and families. The laws focus on lowering costs and increasing Coloradans’ access to health care. Highlights include:

Older Coloradans Cash Fund (HB 1108):
Colorado’s senior citizens will receive an extra $3 million to help them stay independent, productive and at home for as long as possible. The funds shore up a menu of basic senior services, including meals-on-wheels, shopping shuttles, and basic in-home care.

“We’re all aware of the changing demographics and the silver tsunami being created by aging baby-boomers,” said bill sponsorRep. Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley). “The Older Colorado Cash Fund saves active seniors’ independence and the state’s money. The alternative for these people are much costlier residential nursing care facilities. The increased funding will help these folks continue to lead productive, independent lives.”

The FAIR Act (HB 1389):
The Fair & Accountable Insurance Rates (FAIR) Act ensures that 1.3 million Coloradans’ health insurance rates can’t be increased without good cause. The new law will help keep costs down and holds insurance companies accountable, empowering Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner to deny proposed insurance rate increases when insurers cannot justify them.

"Expensive coverage equals no coverage for many Colorado families and businesses,” said bill sponsor Rep. Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora). “The FAIR Act addresses increasing rates and declining coverage by making sure that our health care is the insurance industries’ bottom line. Now, insurance companies must justify their rate increases before they take effect. When rates do go up, we will track the reasons why and make that information available to the public.  Because our health should be there bottom line.”  

Advanced Practice Nurses (HB 1094):
Middle-class and rural communities will have improved access to affordable, quality health care thanks to a new law sponsored by Rep. Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada). Barriers for advanced practice nurses will be removed, modifying outdated state statutes to include reimbursement for their services. These highly specialized nurses treat people in areas where it’s tough to recruit and retain physicians, and include certified nurse midwifes, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists.  They are able to diagnose and treat acute illnesses, prescribe essential medications, and deliver babies.  

“This is a great day for the health of Coloradans,” said Rep. Gagliardi, a Licensed Practical Nurse.  “Now, these nurses will be able to spend more time delivering health care to patients and less time fighting with insurance companies. With aging baby boomers and the increasing demand in society for health care services, these specialized professionals will continue to fill a much-needed role.”  

Additionally, the new law allows them to follow their Clinical Nurse Specialist or Certified Nurse Midwife as they move to different offices. Any patient that has developed a relationship with their provider and later learned their provider of choice is no longer in network can testify as to the importance of continuity of care.
 
Colorado currently has 3,200 advanced practice nurses, all of whom are professional nurses with at least a master’s degree.

The CoverColorado Program (HB 1390):
Thousands of Coloradans who would otherwise be unable to obtain insurance are covered by the the CoverColorado Program. The program provides individual health insurance to eligible Colorado residents who were denied access to affordable health insurance because of pre-existing medical conditions.

“Continuing the CoverColorado Program saves lives and money,” said bill sponsor Rep. Anne McGihon (D-Denver). “By insuring those who have been denied, people are more likely to get the medical attention they need, and the costs will be covered.”

For more information, please visit www.coloradohouse.com.

-- Posted by staff