CO HB1297

Beginning in 2026, authorizes the Commissioner of Insurance to increase the health insurance affordability fee on carriers by up to one percentage point to maintain a statewide average 20% premium reduction in the reinsurance program and provide subsidies for individuals earning up to 250% of the federal poverty line

Changes fund allocation for 2026 and beyond: up to 40% for state-subsidized health plans for qualified individuals, up to 40% to the reinsurance program cash fund, up to 10% to reduce individual market costs, up to 3.5% for administrative costs, and up to 6.5% for new affordability initiatives

Requires the Commissioner to notify carriers of the fee amount by August 31 of the year preceding the assessment year

Authorizes the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources, with consideration for allocating locality-specific funds to those localities

Expands eligibility for "qualified individual" status to include certain individuals eligible under Medicaid or children's basic health plan provisions (sections 25.5-5-201(6) or 25.5-8-109(7))