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.”

The electronic, readable cards would immediately give doctors and hospitals details of the patient's insurance so theoretically fewer mistakes will be made by providers and insurers when inputting or updating a patient's information.  Currently, widespread clerical errors—due to insurance cards that are difficult to read—are believed to result in paperwork snafus that drive up insurance costs.

All Coloradans with private or public health insurance will be issued the electronically scannable card.

Supporters of the measure from the Colorado Association of Health Plans, Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Insurance Commission were all on hand to celebrate the bill's passage into law.

Mitchell said he knew this legislation was too important not to work with all stakeholders involved and to reach across the aisle for bipartisan support to ensure the bill's passage.  The House sponsor was Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada.

The approach seems to be working for Mitchell.  Last month, the governor signed another of his bills into law, SB 117, which makes it easier for homes and businesses to use solar panels by capping the exorbitant fees that some cities charge for their installation.