Pettersen Bills to Support Access to Affordable Healthcare and Childcare Become Law

May 14, 2019

Pueblo, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed three bills sponsored by Senator Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) into law that will support hardworking Coloradans by lowering healthcare costs, helping those struggling with a substance use disorder, and increasing tax credits to help make childcare more affordable.HB19-1174, Out-of-Network Health Care Services, a bill that will help rein in exorbitant healthcare costs by ending the practice of surprise billing from out-of-network healthcare providers.“Surprise billing puts Coloradans at financial risk and contributes to rising healthcare costs across our state,” said Senator Pettersen. “We took action to protect Coloradans from financial hardship and to bring down healthcare costs for Colorado families by putting an end to surprise medical billing.”HB19-1287, Treatment for Opioid And Substance Use Disorders, a bipartisan bill that will combat Colorado’s opioid crisis by increasing access to treatment for those struggling with substance use disorders.“While I am proud of the work we have done at the state level to address the opioid epidemic, we are far from where we need to be. The number of people who die every year from a substance use disorder continues to climb,” said Senator Pettersen. “This bill is part of a package of legislation to help people who have been ravaged by the opioid epidemic to ensure they have access to the treatment they need.”HB19-1013, Child Care Expenses Tax Credit Low-income Families, a bill that will help hardworking Coloradans achieve greater financial security and provide for their children.“This critical piece of legislation gives hardworking Colorado families that still struggle to make ends meet the help they need to afford childcare,” said Senator Pettersen.