market

According to a recent report in Consumer Reports, 14,000 Americans lose employer-based health insurance every day. Many aren’t eligible for public insurance, and COBRA is often too expensive. The individual, or non-group, is often promoted as a solution, but a report by Dr. Robin Baker of the Bell explains that there are a number of factors that will hinder any attempts at expansion.

The next governor and legislature should thoroughly review eligibility levels and reimbursement rates for Colorado???s health care programs to ensure more families benefit from health programs as they work toward self-sufficiency.

We should establish a system for small employer risk pool purchasing. The idea is to allow small businesses to join together, pool risk and leverage purchasing power like larger businesses are able to do. This is a form of community rating that will spread costs, moderate premiums and expand coverage to more Colorado families.

Colorado should increase its Child Care Tax Credit, and it should make the credit available in all years, not just when there is a TABOR surplus. It also should extend the credit to families with disabled dependents of any age. To improve child care quality, the state should work with counties to pay market rates to child care providers and offer incentives to those who participate in quality initiatives.