FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jonathan Lockwood
Communications Director
jonathan@compasscolorado.org
720-470-8233

335k Coloradans being kicked off health care plans isn’t enough for Udall?

DENVER (January 27, 2013) –Emails between the office of Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA), overseen by Gov. John Hickenlooper, reveal that Udall may have intended for all Coloradans to be forced into Colorado’s Obamacare exchange.

“Udall told Coloradans they could keep their plans if they liked them, but apparently has quietly intended to force all Coloradans onto the exchange,” said Kelly Maher, executive director of Compass Colorado. “Coloradans need a straight answer from Udall. He can’t simply bully his way to reelection and get away with abusing his power.”

According to emails between Udall and DORA’s offices, DORA declined to support Udall’s planned legislation claiming it would have “larger market implications.” Joe Britton, a staff member of Udall’s, responded to DORA stating their intention was to put “everyone in the exchange rating pool.”

The latest release of emails, acquired by The Denver Post, showed Coloradans that there was no proof of an investigative panel looking into the allegations Udall’s office pressured the Colorado Department of Insurance.

“When 335,000 Coloradans have received healthcare cancellation notices, Coloradans deserve action from Hickenlooper,” concluded Maher. “There is a frightening pattern of obfuscation here – the people can’t get answers, the press can’t get answers.  Coloradans deserve answers.”

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