One feature of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 is the development of a state run or federally run exchange prior to 2014. An exchange is an insurance marketplace, available online, designed to provide a place where individuals and businesses can shop for coverage at competitive rates. The Colorado Rural Health Center supports the creation of an exchange as a mechanism to increase access, affordability and choice for individuals and small employers purchasing health insurance in Colorado. During the 2011 legislative session a bill was introduced and ultimately passed allowing Colorado to appoint a health benefits exchange board, assign legislators to a legislative oversight committee and create an exchange for Coloradans.

With the support of its Policy and Legislation Committee and approval by the Board of Directors, CRHC decided to support the development of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange for the following reasons:

• Many rural families have been forced to choose between a few powerful insurance companies and, as a result, paid more for their coverage. The Exchange will give rural consumers more control, quality choices and better protections when buying insurance;
• Small businesses and self-employed individuals such as farmers and ranchers make up a substantial percentage of the rural population. The Exchange will allow small business owners and families to make informed choices when purchasing health insurance; and
• Historically the small businesses and self-employed individuals in rural areas have the highest likelihood of being uninsured due to the high cost. Through the Exchange, these workers will have more choices for affordable private insurance plans.

Shortly after the passage of Senate Bill 11-200, the Colorado Health Benefits Exchange The Colorado Health Benefits Exchange Board of Directors was announced by the Governor on June 29th. To see the full press release and Executive Order, click here.

Shortly after the announcement of the exchange board appointments, the first board meeting was held. They met on July 11th in a meeting that was well attended by both consumer advocates as well as the business community. The next meeting will be held on July 25th. For more information on the board’s meeting schedule and agendas, visit the Colorado Health Institute website.

Recently, CRHC signed onto a letter of support as a member of the Health Advocates Alliance, a broad coalition of consumers, providers and healthcare advocates committed to healthcare that is affordable, sustainable, timely, safe, equitable, effective efficient and patient-centric. The letter of support urged board members to be diligent in ensuring that there is full transparency and accountability in all board actions. A full text of the letter can be found here.

CRHC is actively participating in the development of the Exchange by attending the board meetings, taking part in the workgroups and monitoring the Legislative Oversight Committee, as well as identifying opportunities to provide input and expertise on behalf of rural Coloradans. With the creation of an Exchange, Colorado has the opportunity to create a solution that works for Coloradans, particularly those in rural areas. We will continue to monitor its progress and keep membership abreast of the developments.