House Republicans Back States' Rights over Federal Mandates in New Health Exchange

DENVER— House Republicans sitting on the Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee will not support the current application for federal assistance now being considered by the board of directors of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange.

The level one federal grant asks for more than $22 million to help establish the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange. The grant seeks monies to hire 27 full-time employees at annual salaries ranging from $45,600 to $200,400. Under the grant, all 27 of these employees would be in place by February 1, 2012. 

The grant application also speaks of modifying Colorado statutes and regulations to “conform to federal requirements.”

“This over-reaching proposal is a precise example of why House Republicans fought so hard for legislative oversight of Colorado’s Health Benefit Exchange,” said state Rep. Jim Kerr, R-Littleton. “This current application would push Colorado into a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington. Colorado needs Colorado-specific solutions to meet our Colorado-specific needs. That’s why we created a health benefit exchange to fit the unique needs of Colorado and to protect Coloradans from an out-of-control Washington, D.C. bureaucracy.”

Senate Bill 200 creates a market-based exchange to fit the unique needs of Colorado. Once established, the exchange will allow families and small businesses to pool together to find affordable and quality coverage that best suits their needs.

Senate Bill 200 established the 10-member Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee.  Currently, the committee is evenly split between Republican and Democrat members.  Each grant application is subject to the review and unanimous approval of the board chair and the chair and vice-chair of the oversight committee prior to submission of the application. If there is not unanimous approval, each grant application is then subject to the review and the majority approval of the committee.

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