Gov. Hickenlooper signs Medicaid expansion, PA reform bills

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 10:39 AM

Gov. John Hickenlooper signed bills into law last week that will expand health care access to Coloradans in need and simplify the prior authorization process to ensure patients receive medications in a more timely manner.

The governor signed the Medicaid expansion bill into law on Monday, May 13, that will to expand eligibility in the program to an estimated 160,000 Coloradans. The expansion is part of the federal health care overhaul. The Colorado Medical Society Board of Directors voted to support the expansion in January, also recommending specific reforms. CMS President Jan Kief, MD, testified in support of SB13-200 by Sen. Irene Aguilar in March. Click here to read her testimony.

Gov. Hickenlooper signed the prior authorization reform bill into law on Wednesday, May 15. SB13-277, by Sen. Aguilar and Rep. Joann Ginal, puts in place a collaborative process for prior authorization, will provide patients with the medicines they need in a more timely fashion, and will reduce the administrative complexity of the prior authorization process.

CMS President Jan Kief, MD, attended the bill signing ceremony at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins and expressed her gratitude to Sen. Aguilar, Rep. Ginal and Gov. Hickenlooper. Click here to read her full statement.