The Colorado Health Care
Cooperative
SB 11-168 IA 1.31.11, V 5.2
SB 11-168 would establish the Colorado Health Care Cooperative, a health care system owned by all residents of
Colorado that would:
*Ensure access to quality, affordable health care for all Coloradans
*Control health care costs
*Increase choice
*Improve quality and value
Why is the Colorado Health Care Cooperative needed?
Our current disease care system is disorganized, expensive, and does not meet the needs of Coloradans. It requires
that everyone obtain temporary health insurance until they qualify for Medicare at age 65. After full implementation
of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2019, it is estimated that 258,000 Coloradans will still be
uninsured. High deductibles and copayments will mean that one of every five residents will be unable to gain access
to medical care. Coloradans will still have limited choice of providers, health insurance will continue to be a strain on
businesses, and the system will operate below its potential in improving health, attaining quality medical care and
providing value. The costs of medical care will continue to escalate.
How would the Colorado Health Care Cooperative be implemented?
SB 11-XXX requires the Governor and Legislature to appoint a Board that would employ experts to design the details
and specifics for the Colorado Health Care Cooperative. Once designed, the people of Colorado would vote to fund
and implement the Cooperative.
How would the Colorado Health Care Cooperative be governed?
The Cooperative would be a nonprofit, member-governed corporation. The members, all Colorado residents, would
regionally elect the Colorado Health Care Board that would make financial and coverage decisions.
Who would be covered by the Colorado Health Care Cooperative?
The Colorado Health Care Cooperative would provide coverage to all residents of Colorado.
What if someone has Medicare or other insurance?
If a person has an additional insurance plan, the Cooperative would become a secondary payer. For example, those
who have Medicare would keep Medicare as their primary coverage, and the Cooperative would act as supplemental
or secondary coverage, paying many of the charges not paid by Medicare. If someone had insurance other than
Medicare, the Cooperative would act as a supplemental policy, paying many of the charges not covered by other
insurance. Most people likely would choose to discontinue other insurance because the Cooperative would cover all
their needs.
How would health care be organized in the Cooperative?
Most successful health cooperatives in the U.S. use high-performing integrated health care systems. Integrated
Health Care Systems (IHC) have a primary care team called a
