SB14-187 Summary

• Creates the Colorado Commission on Affordable Health Care, consisting of 12 voting members representing hospitals, health care providers, consumers, businesses, economists, insurers, and public health experts, plus 5 nonvoting ex officio members from state agencies.

• Charges the commission with analyzing Colorado health care cost drivers and developing evidence-based recommendations to improve affordability, access, and quality while controlling expenditures for businesses, individuals, Medicaid, and the uninsured.

• Requires the commission to conduct empirical analyses, hold public hearings in each congressional district, review existing studies and reports, and examine factors including pricing transparency, provider networks, drug formularies, and regulatory impacts.

• Mandates submission of annual reports by November 15, 2015 and 2016 with findings requiring two-thirds approval of voting members, and a final report by June 30, 2017; establishes the commission's work expires July 1, 2017 unless extended.

• Appropriates $400,000 for fiscal year 2014-15 to establish a dedicated cash fund for commission staff, contractors, data collection, and member expenses; members serve without compensation but receive travel reimbursement.