CSBJ Daily

Two bills aimed at reducing the cost of health insurance were announced Sunday at the State Capitol.

Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, will introduce legislation in the House of Representatives this week that would give Colorado’s insurance commissioner the authority to “watchdog” rate increases.

“Expensive coverage equals no coverage for Colorado families and businesses,” Carroll said. “Coloradoans have been paying more for less every year. Rate increases should be justified so that we at least know why our rates go up when they do.”

The second bill, sponsored by House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon, is the Insurance Accountability Act of 2008, which will push insurance companies to pay consumers money owed for valid claims.

“Too many Coloradans have to fight their insurance company just to get what they already paid for,” Romanoff said. “Our message to the insurance industry is simple: pay what you owe when you owe it.”