Senator Jim Smallwood

Colorado Senate advances public option health insurance bill

Colorado Senate advances public option health insurance bill

Republican Sen. Jim Smallwood, an insurance broker, questioned the wisdom of having government step in as a competitor. He noted that high rural premiums persist and are rising under a state health insurance exchange adopted under the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

Colorado lawmakers divided over whether sex education bill should go to voters

Colorado lawmakers divided over whether sex education bill should go to voters

“Using the safety clause blocks people from the petition process and takes citizens’ rights away.”

The “safety clause” can be found at the end of House Bill 19-1032, and it means if the Democrat-led bill passes, the state’s voters don’t get a chance to kill it before it becomes law.

Bills aim to boost government role in Coloradans’ health care

Bills aim to boost government role in Coloradans’ health care

The 2019 Colorado General Assembly is vastly different from the past two years. The Democratic Party has a majority in both the House and the Senate, which means that the Republicans do not have enough votes to block any of the partisan legislation that is proposed. We are already witnessing a number of extremely controversial bills being introduced, such as restructuring of Colorado’s comprehensive sex education curriculum, firearm seizures, and several healthcare bills.

Bill to Require Safe Haven Law Education Sponsored by Sen. Jim Smallwood Faces Political Games

Which is why Sen. Jim Smallwood introduced a bill that requires schools to include the Safe Haven Law as part of sex education. Everyone on the committee said it was a good idea. The bill seemed on track to pass, then came a detour.

Senator Jim Smallwood tells the Denver Post we are coming dangerously close to government overreach

“We’re coming dangerously close to government overreach,” Smallwood said. “The challenge is to strike the right balance. What is the right amount of government intervention to make sure taxpayer dollars are accounted for?”

Senator Jim Smallwood makes case against 'public option' health care plan

Senator Jim Smallwood makes case against 'public option' health care plan

“I think it makes folks nervous,” State Sen. Jim Smallwood (R-Douglas County) said. “Public entities are known for operating in deficits."

Senator Jim Smallwood takes a stand against Colorado single-payer health care

Senator Jim Smallwood takes a stand against Colorado single-payer health care

“It’s very refreshing to me to see Democrats themselves finally admitting publicly that Obamacare is failing them,” said Sen. Jim Smallwood, R-Parker. “If Obamacare was working, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Sen. Jim Smallwood says state health exchange repeal would save the state millions of dollars

Sen. Jim Smallwood says state health exchange repeal would save the state millions of dollars

“Our state exchange is really funded through a number of different sources, but many of them are really tax payer dollars,” State Sen. Smallwood said. “With my proposal, first of all we want people to know that by repealing the state exchange that in no way ends the ACA, it doesn’t end ObamaCare in the state of Colorado. It allows our citizens to buy the same policies from the same insurance companies at the same rates, but on website healthcare.gov instead of connectforhealthco.com because healthcare.gov is being paid for with federal dollars because with connect for health we’re paying for it, again, with our state dollars.”