Affordable Care Act

Gov. John Hickenlooper, in signing the law that expands Medicaid eligibility, has ensured that Colorado will be a healthier place in years to come.

The expansion of health insurance coverage means that many more Coloradans will get the care they need at the right time and in the right place. The governor signed Senate Bill 200 on Monday.

Starting this week, the Colorado health insurance exchange has a new name and website – "Connect for Health Colorado" and www.connectforhealthco.org.

The website is designed to help people understand how the new exchange will work, how it affects different populations and to answer questions about health insurance and the operation of the exchange.

Coloradans can begin using the exchange to shop for health insurance on Oct. 1, 2013; the insurance will take effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

By Will Hearst
Montrose Daily Press

Dozens of citizens and area health care professionals found their way to a Montrose Memorial Hospital conference room Friday to learn more about the Affordable Care Act in a presentation hosted by the Montrose County League of Women Voters.

Presenter Robert Semro, a policy analyst for the Bell Policy Center, said the new policy is now the law of the land, but patients, as well as health care providers, insurance companies and employers, can expect more changes.

Expand Medicaid Eligibility

­­­­Senate Bill 13-200

Robert Semro, policy analyst
Testimony to the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­House Public Health Care & Human Services Committee
April 23, 2013

My name is Robert Semro, and I am a policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and advocacy organization founded on progressive values and dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

Bob Semro's piece on the House-passed budget and its impact on Medicaid (Straight talk on health care reform: Ryan budget plan and impact on Medicaid in Colorado) was posted as part of Viewpoints on the Kaiser Health News website.

Bob Semro's piece on Medicare Advantage under the Affordable Care Act (Straight talk on health care reform: Medicare Advantage thrives under Affordable Care Act) was posted as part of Viewpoints on the Kaiser Health News website.

Bob Semro's piece on Medicare data and the benefit of health reforms for seniors  (Straight talk on health care reform: Latest Medicare data shows more seniors benefit from health reforms) was posted as part of Viewpoints on the Kaiser Health News website.

Bob Semro's piece comparing the Affordable Care Act to the Masachusetts model  (Straight talk on health care reform: Comparing the Affordable Care Act and the Massachusetts model) was posted as part of Viewpoints on the Kaiser Health News website.

Bob Semro's piece on how the Affordable Care Act is saving money for Americans  (Americans save $2.1 billion on insurance premiums, thanks to ACA) was posted as part of Viewpoints on the Kaiser Health News website.

Bob Semro's piece on the expansion of Medicaid eligibility and how it will benefit low-income Coloradans aged 50-64 (Straight talk on health care reform: Expansion of Medicaid eligibility will help many low-income baby boomers) was posted as part of Viewpoints on the Kaiser Health News website.