United States of Care Provides Testimony in Support of Colorado Legislation to Address Hospital Prices in the State Employee Health Plan

Earlier this week United States of Care submitted testimony in support of HB25-1174 to the Colorado House Health and Human Services Committee. This legislation provides Colorado with a solution to address rising hospital prices, the resulting health insurance premium increases, and the growing financial burden that Coloradans, employers, and the state pay every year. By leveraging the power of the state employee health plan (SEHP) to cap hospital payments and realign payment incentives to support the health care safety net, Colorado could save between $53 – $62 million annually. 

Colorado joins several other states looking to reduce out of control hospital expenditures by setting rates that more accurately reflect the cost of providing services. Targeting rates paid through SEHPs has the potential to generate significant savings that can be reinvested in other areas of the state budget, including Medicaid or other state-based affordability programs.