Opinion Editorial
March 6, 2009
Colorado House Bill 1256 would bring affordable insurance to thousands of Coloradans by allowing them to buy less-expensive policies available in other states (Health Care, Feb. 19).
Consider the average annual premium costs for nongroup policies. According to America’s Health Insurance Plans, in four states the costs are $500 less than in Colorado. The savings are more for family plans: In five states, costs are $1,000 less than in Colorado.
Opponents of a similar bill proposed last year claimed healthy consumers who bought out-of-state policies would increase premiums for others. True or not, this reveals the effect of Colorado’s insurance mandates and price controls. They bundle medical insurance with politically mandated charity. Never mind that these controls increase premium costs and the number of uninsured.
But we have the right to buy insurance and give to charity as we see fit, without political mandates and prohibitions. Politicians shouldn’t forbid Coloradans from buying more affordable insurance available in other states. HB 1256 recognizes this.
This originally appeared as a letter to the editor in the Denver Business Journal, March 6th, 2009.
