HB 1224 would prohibit insurance companies from using gender as a factor when determining rates for health insurance in Colorado's individual market. Currently, Colorado law allows women who buy health insurance through Colorado's individual insurance market to be charged more than men for equivalent coverage because gender can be used to determine insurance rates. Eliminating gender as a rating factor would reduce health insurance rates for some women. As a result, more women would be able to receive health insurance coverage for essential reproductive health care services, including contraceptive counseling and birth control prescriptions.
SB 225 defines contraception as any medically acceptable drug, device, or procedure used to prevent pregnancy. Clearly defining contraception in Colorado statute can help prevent birth control from being put at-risk during debates about abortion access. In light of Colorado voters? 73-27% rejection of Amendment 48, which could have made the most common forms of contraceptives illegal in our state, it is clear that the people of Colorado have an interest in protecting birth control and removing it from the abortion debate.
