The Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Healthcare Reform on Wednesday presented to lawmakers the five health care proposals being considered to expand health coverage to the state's estimated 792,000 uninsured residents, the Colorado Springs Gazette reports (Sealover, Colorado Springs Gazette, 9/12). Two of the proposals, created 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. The fifth proposal also 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 (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 9/12).

Democrats who attended the 90-minute hearing lauded the commission's efforts to find solutions to Colorado's uninsured problem. However, the "few Republicans who attended" maintain that the commission is "exceeding the scope of its duties and considering plans the public will not accept," the Gazette reports. The commission plans to draft a final evaluation of the proposals and present it to the state Legislature in January 2008. Meanwhile, the commission will continue to hold public hearings on the proposals (Colorado Springs Gazette, 9/12).