The Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Healthcare Reform on Monday announced a fifth health insurance plan to add to four other proposals that the committee previously selected, the Denver Post reports (Human, Denver Post, 9/11). The commission's goal is to recommend three to five plans on how to expand health insurance without a large increase in costs. Two of the final plans, proposed by the Colorado State Association for Health Underwriters and the Committee for Colorado Health Solutions, would require all state residents to obtain health insurance. Under the plans, the state would provide subsidies to residents who cannot afford to obtain health insurance. A third plan proposed by the Health Care for All Colorado Coalition would establish a single-payer health care system administered by the state, and a fourth plan proposed by the Service Employees International Union would expand state health insurance programs and establish a large health insurance purchasing pool (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 8/23).

The latest plan presented by the commission would require all state residents to obtain health insurance or face a tax penalty. In addition, the plan would expand the state Medicaid program and would provide subsidies to help low-income residents purchase health insurance. The plan also would require private health insurers in the state to offer several low-cost, limited-coverage plans capped at $50,000 in benefits. About 20 members of the commission voted to approve the plan, but some members raised concerns about the cost and the effects on employers in the state. A detailed analysis of the cost of the plan, as well as proposals to finance the plan, is expected to be available by mid-October. The commission over the next few months will select a final plan to recommend to the state Legislature in January 2008 (Denver Post, 9/11).