Health exchange bill OK'd by House to keep state control

DENVER — A health care bill that has riled up tea party activists and grassroots Republicans was approved easily by both a House committee and then the full House on Tuesday.

The bill, which was dubbed “Amycare” by opponents, would create a new government agency that would organize a pool of health care plans that businesses can buy into to give employees more options for benefits plans. Its prime House sponsor is Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-Monument.

When asked about the moniker during a press conference, Stephens laughed and said, “Yeah, that’s right, Amy cares!”

Stephens added seriously, “This just makes me cry, when (business owners) come to me. These are great people, who love their employees, and feel terrible that they can’t find a good plan and an affordable plan for their employees.”

A slew of Colorado business leaders turned out to testify in favor of the bill, and many passionate opponents showed up as well. One man even yelled “Treason!” during the committee hearing Tuesday afternoon, and then walked out, even though he had signed up to testify.

David Ervin, head of a government affairs board for the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and owner of a nonprofit business, said he’s seen his health insurance costs rise by an average of 25 percent a year for the past decade. He expects that the exchange will turn that trend around and keep his insurance costs stable.

“It’s a health insurance Expedia,” said Ervin.

Colorado Springs resident Cindy Lyons said the bill would just add to government bureaucracy, and would wind up driving health care costs up instead of down.

“It’s a waste of time. It’s socialism,” said Lyons.

Steve ErckenBrack, the president of Rocky Mountain Health Plans, pointed out to the committee that if the state doesn’t act, the federal government will impose its own version of health care exchanges on the state.

He said that makes it imperative for the state to establish an exchange system that’s tailored to meet the needs of Colorado businesses.

Exchanges are an integral part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, derisively referred to as “Obamacare” by many Republicans. If Colorado doesn’t create its own by January 2013, it will have to accept whatever model the federal government chooses, said ErckenBrack.

The exchange system would be overseen by a legislative committee, and will sunset in five years unless re-approved by the Legislature.

After one final vote, the bill will head back to the Senate, to approve clarifying language added to the measure on Tuesday that emphasizes states’ rights.