House Bill 1355, making health care more accessible for small business owners and their employees, was signed into law June 1, 2007.

Sponsored by Representatives Anne McGihon (D-Denver) and Tom Massey (R-Poncha Springs), the law prevents insurance companies from penalizing small businesses if employees or their families have been sick.

Currently, insurance companies can use up to seven “rate bands,” which allow insurers to consider an individual’s age, health status, tobacco use, etc. when setting premiums. HB 1355 prohibits insurers from using two rate bands -- health status and claims history -- in determining rates for small businesses. Health care advocates want to stop this discriminatory practice which encourages employers to hire only young, healthy employees in hopes of keeping premiums affordable.

“Despite being out-gunned in the past by the lobbying forces of Big Insurance, we are leveling the playing field and making health care more accessible for the 63% of the uninsured who are employed,” Rep. McGihon said.

In recent months, the insurance industry and a big-business group generated form-letter emails to legislators and hired over two dozen paid lobbyists to work against the bill, estimates Rep. McGihon.

“This legislation is the first and most important step in meaningful health care reform,” Rep. McGihon continued. “Without judging employees by their health history, we hope to ensure more equal access to quality, affordable health care plans for all working families and for all small businesses.”

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