Colo. health exchange says sustainability in sight

Colorado’s state-run insurance exchange says it’s on track to be self-sustaining by next year.

Exchange officials briefed lawmakers Thursday on enrollment at Connect For Health Colorado. That’s Colorado’s marketplace for buying health insurance that meets new federal mandates.

Lawmakers voted 7-2 to approve the exchange’s 2014 financial and operations plans.

Exchange officials say that almost 69,000 people have gotten insurance through the exchange. That’s a big uptick from the end of 2013.

Uninsured folks must acquire insurance by the end of March to avoid federal tax penalties.

Exchange CEO Patty Fontneau told lawmakers Thursday that Colorado’s exchange won’t need high fees on premiums to be self-supporting by 2015, when federal subsidies run out. She says the exchange also plans to trim staff to save money.