DENVER – Colorado’s Health Care Future issued the following statement today after the House Health & Insurance Committee voted to advance House Bill 21-1232, which would create a new state government-controlled health insurance system, also called the state government option:

“The Committee heard over 10 hours of testimony from a broad base of stakeholders who have serious concerns about the costs and consequences of creating a new state government option. This so-called ‘new compromise’ version of the state government option bill is simply more of the same. It is disappointing that lawmakers chose not to allow the public to weigh in on proposed amendments, refused to detail the negotiations and agreements held behind closed doors, ignored pleas to slow down to provide comprehensive analysis, and instead voted to advance HB21-1232. There are far too many important questions left unanswered about the consequences of this bill, which could disrupt Colorado’s integrated health care system and threaten Coloradans’ access to care,” said Colorado’s Health Care Future spokesman Tyler Mounsey. 

“From the proposal’s granting of unprecedented power to an unelected government bureaucrat, to the government price-fixing measures to artificially lower costs, which will impact access and quality of care, to the exorbitant fines and threats to shut down hospitals that do not accept the unsustainable reimbursement rate or participate in the standardized plan, to the gaps and delays in health care services as a result of physicians potentially leaving to practice in other states and worsening the existing physician shortage – this vote is of serious consequence to Coloradans,” Mounsey added.

“Across the board, health care providers, doctors, nurses, economic experts, business leaders, carriers, unions, small business owners and skilled workers have voiced concerns about the unanswered questions and unknown outcomes of this legislation. Instead of pushing forward with an unaffordable new government-controlled health insurance system, lawmakers should slow down, weigh the facts and work together to build on and improve what’s working in health care to lower costs, protect patient choice, expand access, improve quality and support facilities that serve communities where the needs are greatest,” concluded Mounsey.