CO gets closer to essential health benefit benchmark

Colorado is working harder than most states to meet deadlines under the Affordable Care Act. At the same time, it insists on as much independence as possible in implementing the law. Seeking "Colorado-specific solutions" is actually codified in the bipartisan bill passed last year to establish a state health insurance exchange. To pick its benchmark plan, Colorado formed a working group that included Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, members of the state health exchange board, and its insurance commissioner. The working group now looks ready to submit its choice to the federal Department of Health and Human Services without taking any kind of formal vote.