Impact on Coloradans

Chris Romer, President and CEO, Vail Valley Partnership:

“[T]he State Option is expected to cut at least $235 Million of reimbursements to health care providers in the first year and by as much as $1.5 billion within five years… As a result, patients will have to travel further, wait longer and have fewer providers to choose from when they need care the most.”

Peter Banko, President, Centura Health:

“The reality is that the plan, as proposed, isn’t sustainable, has unintended consequences and jeopardizes access. The proposal does not address adequately Colorado’s uninsured rate. It will not reduce premiums for low-income consumers purchasing coverage on the exchange.” 

Ray Scott, State Senator, Colorado:

“Either prices will go up for most residents — more than half of whom are covered by employer plans — or Coloradans will have fewer choices. Many could be forced out of the plans they enjoy if their carriers leave.”

Chris Tholen, Executive Vice President, Colorado Hospital Association:

“The Polis proposal misses the mark because it prioritizes lower premiums at the expense of patient access and choice.”

Mike Ramseier, President, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado:

“Few Colorado consumers would benefit from the public option, and any benefit comes at the expense of rural hospitals…Any price relief attributable to rural consumers would be at the cost of lower reimbursements to providers that are already financially stressed.” 

Amanda Massey, Executive Director, Colorado Association of Health Plans:

“The proposal shows limited benefits for the uninsured and underinsured and could actually increase out of pocket costs for Coloradans.”

Paul Houchens and Fritz Busch, Consulting Actuaries, Milliman:

“Under a public option, a subsidized person will see no reduction in out-of-pocket premiums and must pay substantially higher out-of-pocket premiums to remain in their same plan.”

Carol Pace, Life Fellow, American College of Medical Practice Executives:

“Brokers or the exchange should not receive compensation for triaging consumers to the public option, any more than they receive them for directing consumers to Medicare, the VA, CHIP or Medicaid.”

Editorial Board, Colorado Springs Gazette:

“Nearly 68% of Americans earn or pay out-of-wallet for private health policies, and most desire to keep them…politicians need to stop promising insurance solutions before addressing the underlying dilemma.”

Loren Furman, Senior Vice President of State and Federal Relations, Colorado Chamber of Commerce:

“Our biggest concern is, if you’re trying to reduce the cost for the individual market, what will that do for the larger group market?”

John Ingold, Health Care Reporter, The Colorado Sun:

“Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they were satisfied with their current coverage and wanted the state to work on improving the existing system rather than create a new system with heavy government controls.”

Tim Heydt, Resident, Loveland, Colorado:

“This public option proposal is analogous to Colorado’s propensity for avalanches. It looks so inviting, and you may get lucky, for a while. But if your luck does not hold, there could be a very nasty, unintended consequence.”