Committee Vote to Advance Colorado Health Insurance Option is a Step Forward for Small Businesses

“We applaud the Colorado Senate Health & Human Services Committee vote to advance the Colorado Health Insurance Option (HB21-1232) because it would make quality health coverage more accessible to Colorado’s small businesses. 

At the same time, we are concerned that lawmakers may still strip the bill of critical provisions that would benefit small businesses and make access to affordable health coverage more equitable. There have been discussions of amendments that would remove proposed new requirements for  the small group market, which would effectively render the bill meaningless for entrepreneurs if they come to pass. 

Colorado small businesses already struggled pre-pandemic to afford health insurance for their employees and their families. And it’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the gaps that exist in our current health coverage market. Research from Small Business Majority found that more than 1 in 3 small businesses have struggled to access health insurance for themselves and their employees during the pandemic, and it’s been even more of a challenge for entrepreneurs of color. 

We have also heard extensively from small business owners across the state about how access to affordable benefits can directly benefit their businesses, particularly those in industries that face additional barriers to accessing affordable health coverage. Small businesses are supportive of this legislation because it would help lower their healthcare costs and expand access to access coverage. 

The Colorado Senate must pass the version of HB21-1232 as approved by the Colorado House of Representatives. Anything less would be yet another blow to small businesses and their employees who are already struggling to survive in the most difficult economic environment we have encountered in a century.”