DENVER—A Colorado proposal to set up a health insurance marketplace required under new federal health care law is moving ahead in the Colorado Legislature.
But it’s still unclear whether the insurance exchange will overcome Republican opposition this year.
A procedural committee cleared Senate Bill 200 for debate by the full Senate, with four Republican senators voting against it.
A health insurance exchange allows private consumers and small businesses to pool buying power to get lower premiums. Some conservatives oppose the idea because they say it moves Colorado closer to agreeing with federal health care plans.
The exchange bill is expected to clear the Democratic Senate, but its prospects remain unclear in the GOP House. Some Republicans say they’ll vote for the exchanges only if Colorado also rejects the federal plan.
