Final
CACI/Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
HEALTH INSURANCE
Votes:
Action Taken:
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11:50 AM -- Presentation by the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Travis Berry, Business Council on Healthcare Competition (the healthcare council of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry), and Sara Cassidy, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, introduced themselves and distributed two handouts to the committee (Attachments B and C). Mr. Berry discussed increases in health insurance costs from 2001 to 2005 and stated that 58 percent of individuals receive their health care coverage from their employer. He stated that employers care about their employees and their families and that it is important for employers to provide health insurance to their employees. He stated that health insurance coverage solutions should not shift costs to employees and that reforms instituted by state lawmakers only affect the small group market because federal law regulates large and self-funded employers. Mr. Berry responded to questions from Representative Green regarding what health insurance plans the Business Council on Healthcare Competition may support.
12:02 PM
Sara Cassidy discussed the health care committee of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Cassidy and Mr. Berry responded to questions from Senator Keller regarding employee leasing companies. Ms. Cassidy listed a number of items that the Health Insurance Interim Committee should keep in mind when considering health insurance proposals, including: preserving and supporting initiatives currently in place which are having or have the potential of having a positive impact of the system, specifically workers compensation reforms; preserving pharmaceutical practices; and reducing cost shifting to business by reimbursing providers adequately. She suggested that the committee examine best practices from other states.
12:06 PM
The committee recessed for lunch.