A bipartisan bill to cut bureaucratic red tape, making access to health care simpler and more affordable, was signed into law today by the governor.

During a special bill signing ceremony at Children's Hospital, dozens of patients, doctors, and health-care professionals looked on as Gov. Bill Ritter signed a package of 11 bills into law.

Included in the package was Senate Bill 135, whose prime sponsor in the Senate was Republican Shawn Mitchell, of Broomfield.  The law requires health insurers and providers to develop and use a standardized card that will hold vital information about a patient's health coverage.

“A big chunk of health care cost is doctors’ offices trying to jump through insurance company hoops,” Mitchell said. “The benefit information card should cut the waste by putting critical information in one place.  The doctor can scan the card and know right away what the coverage is and how to access it quickly.  That means a lot fewer mother may I's? to the insurer.”