Precluding “Pre-Existing” Conditions
Tuesday, July 6 2010
Sens. Shaffer and Morse Applaud a New Program to End Pre-Existing Conditions in Colorado Ahead of Schedule
DENVER— Governor Bill Ritter announced today the creation of a new state temporary insurance program which will provide coverage to Colorado citizens with pre-existing conditions. The national health care reform bill will prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against applicants with pre-existing conditions beginning in 2014. Colorado is one of 30 states that will begin operating an insurance pool prior to the deadline to ensure that all Colorado citizens have equal access to affordable health care.
The announcement of this temporary insurance agency comes shortly after the close of the 2010 legislative session which demonstrated avid determination and commitment to health care reform in the state. “One of our number one priorities this session was making certain that access to quality affordable health care was a reality in Colorado,” stated Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont). “Implementing this plan will ensure we are actually helping the Coloradans who need them most, not helping the insurance company’s bottom line.”
The state senate was successful in passing landmark legislation to improve the medical and insurance industries including the Health Care Jobs for Colorado Bill which provided incentives for medical professionals to practice in rural and underserved areas, measures to end discrimination against women in policy price, and end unfair claims denial practices.
Senate Majority Leader John Morse (D-Colorado Spring), sponsor of the Health Care Jobs for Colorado Bill, was in support of the creation of the temporary insurance agency.“By adopting this program we are making our state a leader in health care reform and providing relief for our sick and uninsured. Every Colorado citizen deserves to receive the medical attention that they need, and they don’t need it in 2014- They need it today.”
Insurance companies definitions of pre-existing conditions range from anything as common as asthma or diabetes to something as series as cancer or heart disease. It’s estimated that over 12 million Americans are denied due to preexisting conditions every year. This plan offers coverage to residents who have been denied insurance due to a prior medical condition and who have been without insurance for 6 months or more. For Coloradoans who apply by July 15, coverage will begin as early as August 1, 2010. Applications are available starting today at http://healthcare.gov or by calling the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan hotline at 1-866-717-5826 (Teletype Phones: 1-866-561-1604). Their hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mountain Time.
