Senate Passes Bills to Increase Access to Health Care, Strengthen Rural Economies, and Support Teachers
Denver, CO – Today, the Senate passed several initiatives to increase access to health care, strengthen rural economies, and support teachers.
HB20-1236 Health Care Coverage Easy Enrollment Program, sponsored by Senator Bridges and Senator Tate, works to establish a program that would make it easier for health care consumers to find affordable coverage. According to the Colorado Health Institute, more than half of Coloradans who don’t have health insurance in fact qualify for public health insurance programs or subsidies such as premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions. This bill would allow Connect for Health Colorado to reach out to these individuals, if they checked the box on their tax return, and help them obtain free or subsidized coverage.
“Now more than ever, it is critical that every Coloradan receives adequate health care coverage,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. “Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans are currently uninsured, many of them after losing their employer-based health care due to COVID-19. We need to help connect people to the resources they are eligible for so that families can get the care they need and have a right to.”
HB20-1003 Rural Jump-Start Program, sponsored by Senator Donovan and Senator Ray Scott, would enable more businesses to take advantage of the incentives and benefits offered in the Rural Jump Start Program by widening eligibility. It also extends the program for five years and allows organizations to form programs to authorize new businesses to participate.
“Small businesses are the backbone of rural Colorado, and after the devastation caused by COVID-19, we need support new businesses more than ever,” said Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail. “The Rural Jump Start Program helps crucial community businesses open and create jobs in their hometowns– revitalizing depressed economies and putting hardworking Coloradans back on the job.”
SB20-158 Professional Training For Educators sponsored by Senator Todd, works to expand the educator loan forgiveness program by making it available to individuals who graduate from any preparation program that leads to educator licensure and removing the limitation of no more than 100 new participants per year.
“Teachers have worked tirelessly under an enormous amount of pressure during this public health crisis–– highlighting even further the indispensable role they play in our communities, “ said Senator Todd, D-Aurora. “We need to do everything we can to support the teaching profession and ensure that our incredible educators are not overly burdened, financially or otherwise. This bill helps those who choose to make it their life’s work to shepherd and guide the next generation.”