2011 Legislative Wrap-up

Colorado lawmakers sought bipartisan solutions amid harsh fiscal realities during the 2011 General Assembly, which concluded on May 11, 2011.

Legislators passed numerous health-related measures, including legislation that advances the Colorado Health Foundation's goals in Healthy Living, Health Coverage and Health Care. Highlights include:

Healthy Living

•  House Bill 1019
  Sponsors: Rep. Daniel Kagan, D-Denver; Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood
  Summary: This bill allows school-based health centers to waive co-payments for children who are eligible for Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) or other government coverage plans.
  Status: Signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper
  Media coverage: Kagan bill to help school-based health clinics passes House unanimously, The Colorado Independent, Jan. 31, 2011
•  House Bill 1069
  Sponsors: Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs; Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora; Sen. Irene Aguilar, D-Denver
  Summary: This bill directs public schools to adopt a policy that incorporates a minimum number of minutes of physical activity into each elementary school student's schedule.
  Status: Signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper
  Media coverage: A giant leap for physical activity in Colorado, Health Relay blog, April 20, 2011

Health Coverage

•  Senate Bill 8
  Sponsors: Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood; Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen
  Summary: This bill increases the current Medicaid income eligibility threshold of the federal poverty level for children who are between 6-19 years of age.
  Status: Signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper
  Media coverage: Taking steps to improve eligibility, Health Relay blog, April 27, 2011
•  Senate Bill 128
  Sponsors: Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton; Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver
  Summary: This bill establishes two specified enrollment periods for child-only plan coverage. Insurance plans must be issued on a guaranteed-issue basis without any limitations or riders based on health status.
  Status: Signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper
  Media coverage: Colorado Legislature passes bill on child health coverage, Denver Business Journal, April 20, 2011
•  Senate Bill 200
  Sponsors: Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood; Rep. Amy Stephens, R-Manitou Springs
  Summary: This bill forms a Colorado health benefit exchange as an unincorporated, nonprofit entity.
  Status: Signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper
  Media coverage: Hickenlooper signs Health Exchange bill, The Colorado Independent, June 1, 2011
•  Senate Bill 250
  Sponsors: Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood, Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver; Rep. Ken Summers, R-Lakewood
  Summary: This bill increases the income level for eligibility for pregnant women in Medicaid from 133 percent to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. The legislation was drafted to comply with federal requirements to preserve funding in the CHP+ program.
  Status: Signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper

Health Care

•  House Bill 1242
  Sponsors: Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver; Sen. Jeanne Nicholson, D-Black Hawk
  Summary: This bill requires the Colorado Department of Health Policy and Financing to review Medicaid policies that are barriers to providing integrated physical and behavioral health care services.
  Status: Signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper
•  House Bill 1281
  Sponsors: Rep. Janak Joshi, R-Colorado Springs; Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood
  Summary: This bill establishes loan forgiveness programs for health professionals who work with underserved populations.
  Status: Signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper