Children's Basic Health Plan

Now that the legislative session has wrapped up, every piece of passed legislation is in Governor Hickenlooper's hands. He has until June 10 to veto, sign or ignore legislation, in which case it automatically becomes law. This period should provide some interesting insight into the Guv, and will set the tone for next year's session.

The Bell Policy Center on Monday joined other groups in urging Gov. John Hickenlooper to veto Senate Bill 213, the proposal to impose a monthly fee on families whose children are enrolled in the Children's Basic Health Plan, better known as CHP+.

Here is the text of the letter:

May 16, 2011

The Honorable John Hickenlooper
Governor of Colorado
State Capitol Building, Room 136
Denver, Colorado 80203

Dear Gov. Hickenlooper,

Item in Denver Daily News staff report

BELL URGES GOVERNOR TO VETO MONTHLY FEE FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH PLAN: The Bell Policy Center on Monday joined other groups in urging Gov. John Hickenlooper to veto Senate Bill 213, the proposal to impose a monthly fee on families whose children are enrolled in the Children's Basic Health Plan, better known as CHP+. Lawmakers backed the fee in order to help balance the state's more than $1 billion budget shortfall.

May 16, 2011

The Honorable John Hickenlooper
Governor of Colorado
State Capitol Building, Room 136
Denver, Colorado 80203

Dear Gov. Hickenlooper,

I am writing to ask you to veto Senate Bill 213, which would establish a monthly enrollment fee for children in the Children's Basic Health Plan. This bill will impose an unacceptable burden on low-income families while saving the state little, if any, money.