Colorado Consumer Health Initiative

Who We Are

The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) is a nonprofit, consumer-oriented, membership-based health advocacy organization that serves Coloradans whose access to health care and financial security are compromised by structural barriers, affordability, poor benefits, or unfair business practices of the health care industry. Our vision is for all Coloradans to have equitable access to affordable, high-quality health care. 

Our Work

We have the privilege of celebrating 25 years of lifting up the consumer voice in health care policy conversations, and a lot has changed in the health policy landscape in the past 25 years. Here are some of our greatest hits: 

Creation of the Consumer Insurance Council: CCHI worked to pass HB19-1150 and establish the Consumer Insurance Council, a consumer advisory body to the Division of Insurance that provides the consumer perspective on insurance regulation and initiatives, including coverage expansions and affordability measures.

Amendment 35: We, in leadership with other organizations, passed Amendment 35 and legislation to raise tobacco taxes and generate funding for health programs and tobacco prevention initiatives in Colorado. 

Creation of the 208 Commission in Colorado (Blue-Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform): CCHI worked to establish a bipartisan state initiative to reform and improve the health care ecosystem through increased coverage, cost control, and quality improvements. A foundational step in Colorado’s health reform efforts.

Expanding Essential Health Benefits: We assisted with passing legislation expanding “Essential Health Benefits” and codifying those into Colorado law when federal actions threatened access.

Affordable Care Act: CCHI helped pass the Affordable Care Act, and assisted with the implementation once it was passed, as well as the defeat of the statewide and federal repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Thanks, Obamacare!).

Consumer Assistance Program: In 2018, we established a Consumer Assistance Program in response to hearing from consumers who needed help with medical billing navigation, insurance claims denials, and assistance with prescription drug costs. In 7 years, this (FREE!) program has helped over 4,000 Coloradans recover over $12 million in unjust medical bills.

Surprise Billing Protection: CCHI lead on Surprise Billing Protection bills in Colorado, as well as the Federal No Surprises Act, to ensure patients aren’t burdened by balance billing practices.

Colorado Option: We worked hard to to pass the Colorado Option, a Public Option program that ensures our immigrant friends have health coverage options, after conversations with partners about gaps in coverage options.

House Bill 21-1198 Hospital Discounted Care: CCHI worked to pass HB21-1198, which set requirements Colorado hospitals must meet for screening and providing discounted care to eligible Coloradans. Hospitals must screen for eligibility for public health insurance programs and provide discounts on bills to help make all care received in a hospital facility more affordable. HB21-1198 also established important consumer protections around payment plans and debt collections, ensuring patients in Colorado have access to critical affordability programs . 

Held hospitals accountable: We worked to ensure hospitals meet their requirements and that consumers are accessing the discounted care they are entitled to. In November 2024, CCHI released a comprehensive report of Colorado hospital compliance with HB-1198, identifying significant room for hospitals to improve their communication with community members about Hospital Discounted Care services and protections, particularly for Spanish-speaking patients. 

Prescription Drug Affordability Board: CCHI worked tirelessly to pass a first-the-nation Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), which recently set an upper payment limit on expensive drug Enbrel. This precedent-setting decision is projected to save Coloradans over $32 million in drug spending. 

At CCHI, we work towards better transparency, controlling costs, and expanding access to care. We work to ensure that consumers’ voices are heard at the Capitol, and beyond. In weaving together personal stories, policy expertise, and people power, we have been able to achieve transformational changes for consumers in the health policy world. We couldn’t have done this work without the support of our donors, our partners, and our community members who bravely share their stories with us. We look forward to the next 25 years, and hope you will invest in our collective future by donating to CCHI.