Colorado Governor Signs Bills on State Worker Health Insurance, Breast and Cervical Cancer Coverage

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens (R) has signed three health-related special-session bills, the Denver Rocky Mountain News reports. SB 22, sponsored by state Sen. Bill Thiebaut (D) and state Rep. Lola Spradley (R), designates approximately $3 million to raise the state's monthly contribution to health insurance premiums for state workers. The state will now pay $164.99 for single employees, $237.46 for married couples and $326.48 for families. Because employees in rural Pueblo County have higher premiums, they will receive $219.71 for single coverage, $345.90 for married couples and $448.76 for families. In a related measure, Owens signed HB 1034, directing the state's personnel director, Troy Eid, to study a pilot health insurance program in Pueblo. "We can basically explore some health plan options to try and lower costs for state employees," Eid said. Finally, Owens signed O1S2-12, a measure to fund treatment for low-income women with breast and cervical cancer though the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Act of 2000 (Perrault, Denver Rocky Mountain News, 11/14). Under the act, states can use a combination of state and federal money to cover the costs of any surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, follow-up care and medication for patients who use a free screening program operated by the CDC. Uninsured patients with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level are eligible for treatment through Medicaid (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 10/4). For the first three years, Colorado will fund its share of the program with interest earned on "unspent dollars" from the national tobacco settlement. Colorado will receive $2 in federal matching funds for every state dollar spent under the program (Denver Rocky Mountain News, 11/14).