CO SB004

Modifies Colorado health care coverage cooperative laws to empower consumers to collectively negotiate health care rates directly with providers and establish consumer protections.

Allows cooperatives to include individuals as members, with dependents under age 26, and permits both individual and small employer members to pool together in single risk pools.

Enables cooperatives and participating health plans to negotiate discounts on non-health-care expenses (administrative costs, commissions, profits) while restricting negotiation of provider fees.

Repeals the waivered cooperative framework (sections 10-16-1011 and 10-16-1012) and consolidates regulatory authority, allowing the insurance commissioner to provide technical assistance in cooperative formation without state administration.

Authorizes the commissioner to apply for a federal Section 1332 state innovation waiver to implement cooperative provisions, with the act taking effect August 2, 2019, subject to voter approval if a referendum petition is filed.