Strengthening our community through accessible health care

At Local First, we know that a healthy population is key to building resilient local communities. When people have what they need to lead healthy lives, businesses thrive, neighborhoods flourish and Southwest Colorado remains a place we are proud to call home.

That's why we're proud to partner with Peak Health Alliance to expand health insurance choices for residents and businesses across Southwest Colorado. Since 2021, this partnership has saved local families and small businesses an estimated $6 million on insurance premiums, lowering the cost of living and reducing the cost of doing business in La Plata County.

By advocating for our communities and increasing market competition, everyone benefits. In fact, Johns Hopkins researchers found that health insurance premiums in counties served by Peak Health Alliance are 13% to 17% lower for everyone who purchases individual and family coverage as compared to Colorado counties not served by Peak.

Peak Health Alliance works closely with the nonprofit Denver Health Medical Plan to include local health care facilities and practitioners in the Elevate Health Plans provider network, so our community members can access quality care close to home whenever possible. We are grateful to our local hospitals and professionals who participate in the provider network.

Open Enrollment begins Nov. 1 for people who purchase their own health insurance on the individual and family market. Talk to a local health insurance broker to explore your options and find coverage that fits your situation at no extra cost. La Plata County's Public Health Department also offers free health insurance enrollment assistance to residents.

If you don't get coverage from an employer, be sure to check whether you qualify for advanced premium tax credits through Connect for Health Colorado to reduce your monthly premium. Those with lower incomes can also qualify for reduced deductibles and copayments to make coverage even more affordable.

Businesses can support their employees' health, even if they don't offer a traditional group insurance plan. By offering Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements, a business can contribute pretax dollars for employees to purchase a health plan. This option allows businesses to set a budget while giving employees choice of coverage.

Health insurance premiums are increasing significantly for many people in 2026. Rising rates follow a recent and widespread uptick in people's use of health care services. Complicating this trend is the loss of federal enhanced premium tax credits that have made premiums more affordable since the pandemic. As a result, thousands of Coloradans are at risk of becoming uninsured because they can no longer afford their premiums.

The Colorado General Assembly passed legislation this summer that blunts some of the impact from the reduction in federal funding for Colorado's reinsurance program. This one-year stopgap allowed insurers to pare back proposed premium increases somewhat for 2026. Unless Congress agrees to extend the enhanced premium tax credits or finds another long-term solution, Colorado consumers will likely face another steep premium increase in 2027.

Local First is advocating for our community by sharing our concerns about these unsustainable trends with our state and federal representatives. In collaboration with Peak Health Alliance, we are exploring what others are doing at a local level and how we can continue to innovate and craft local solutions. We welcome your input and support for our efforts so that affordable health care remains accessible to local families and our local economy continues to thrive.

Learn more about Local First's health care initiative and donate to support our work at foundation.local-first.org.

Doug McCarthy is CEO of Local First.

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