Policy Specifics

Health care reform is a complicated issue, and it can be overwhelming to wade through the specifics of policy.

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform (also known as the 208 Commission) is evaluating five comprehensive health care reform proposals. The Commission's report will be submitted for consideration by the State Legislature at the end of January, 2008.

The explanation below is the basic version of the policies. For a slightly more in-depth explanation of the first four plans, you can download the 208 Commission's Review by clicking here. For a side-by-side analysis of all five plans, you can see the Bell Policy Center's grid at www.thebell.org.

And for complete details you can read the full text of each proposal at www.colorado.gov/208commission.

Better Health Care for Colorado
Expand Medicaid & CHP+: Would expand CHP+ to cover children in families with incomes up to 3 times the federal poverty level.

Subsidies for low-income populations: Would subsidize parents and childless adults with incomes up to 3 times the federal poverty level to help them purchase private or employer-based insurance.

Vulnerable populations: Long-term care reforms will increase access to home and community-based care.

Benefit caps: The annual benefit cap is $35,000. The maximum monthly premium is $150-250.

Cost controls: Managed care systems will administrate Medicaid and primary care in rural areas.

Provider incentives: Medicaid hospitals and long-term care facilities will be eligible for pay-for-performance benefits.

Mandates: none

Number of Coloradans who would remain uninsured: 467,200

Change to State health spending: $595 million increase.

Sponsoring Organization: Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Solutions for a Healthy Colorado
Expand Medicaid & CHP+: Would expand CHP+ to cover children in families with incomes up to 2.5 times the federal poverty level. Would expand Medicaid to cover people with incomes up to the federal poverty level.

Subsidies for low-income populations: Subsidies for those with incomes up to 2.5 times the federal poverty level to help them purchase health insurance.

Benefit caps: Annual benefit cap of $50,000.

Cost controls: Transparency standards will control and maintain costs.

Provider incentives: Will establish uniform provider reimbursements.

Mandates: Individual mandate; insured people get a tax credit, uninsured get tax penalty.

Number of Coloradans who would remain uninsured: 133,400

Change to State health spending: $271 million increase.

Sponsoring Organization: Colorado State Association of Health Underwriters

A Plan for Covering Coloradans
Expand Medicaid & CHP+: Would merge Medicaid and CHP+, and expand the programs to include parents and children with incomes up to 3 times the federal poverty level, and childless adults with incomes up to the federal poverty level.

Subsidies for low-income populations: Subsidies for those with incomes up to 4 times the federal poverty level.

Vulnerable populations: Would expand public programs for disabled people with incomes up to 3 times the federal poverty level, for elderly people with incomes up to the federal poverty level, and for the medically needy with incomes up to half of the federal poverty level.

Benefit package: Comprehensive coverage including dental, mental health, substance abuse and prescriptions.

Benefit caps: Standardized benefit plans would allow consumers to compare plans.

Provider incentives: Includes safety-net providers in the subsidy program.

Mandates: Individual mandate; uninsured must pay tax assessment. Employer mandate: employers must either contribute to health coverage for employees or pay tax assessment.

Number of Coloradans who would remain uninsured: 106,500

Change to State health spending: $1.3 billion increase.

Sponsoring Organization: Committee for Colorado Health Care Solutions

Colorado Health Services Program
Coverage: covers everyone who has lived in Colorado for at least three months, including those enrolled in federal programs.

Benefit package: based on current Medicaid benefits. Includes mental health, substance abuse, dental care. Minimal copays.

Cost controls, provider incentives: Single payer program governed as a public trust. Annual budget sets provider rates, providers are rewarded for high-quality care.

Mandates: The program is funded through mandatory income tax and payroll deductions; employers may pay for employees.

Number of Coloradans who would remain uninsured: 0

Change to State health spending: $1.4 billion decrease.

Sponsoring Organization: Health Care for All Coalition

Fifth Proposal
Expand Medicaid & CHP+: Would combine and expand Medicaid and CHP+ to cover children in families with incomes up to 2.5 times the federal poverty level, would cover parents and adults with incomes up to 2 times the federal poverty level. Disabled and medically needy could buy in to Medicaid.

Subsidies for low-income populations: Subsidies for those with incomes up to 4 times the federal poverty level, plus a catastrophic care fund.

Vulnerable populations: Would expand CoverColorado to cover more of the chronically ill.

Benefit package: Optional "Continuous Coverage Portable Plan" similar to Medicare.

Mandates: Individual mandate; uninsured must pay income tax assessment. Employer mandate: employers must offer payroll deduction or pre-tax plan to help employees purchase insurance.

Number of Coloradans who would remain uninsured: To be determined.

Change to State health spending: To be determined.

Sponsoring Organization: Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform