Joint statement from members of the Colorado Health Policy Coalition on the state budget and the crisis facing Medicaid members and those who provide their care
“The year after returning $1.6 billion in TABOR rebates to tax filers and in the context of strong economic indicators for our state, Colorado is facing a budget shortfall of nearly $1 billion. This budget crisis will force policymakers to slash funding for critically important programs and services that will ultimately hurt all Coloradans, especially those who rely on our precarious health care safety net.
We understand the tough choices facing policymakers and appreciate that Governor Polis’ 2025-26 budget submission includes some modest provisions to mitigate what could be even worse damage. However, as a coalition dedicated to advancing a strong and equitable health care system for all Coloradans, we are deeply concerned that the Governor’s budget proposal is an insufficient response to the scale of the crisis impacting Medicaid eligible Coloradans and the safety net health care providers who serve them.
As has been repeatedly reported by the media (Denver Post, May 2024 // USA Today, July 2024 // Denver Post, August 2024) and discussed by lawmakers in public hearings in June, September and October, coming out of COVID, Colorado did a particularly poor job of keeping Medicaid eligible residents enrolled in this safety net health insurance program. More than 575,000 Coloradans have lost their Medicaid health coverage over the last year. And, as a result, safety net health care providers – including safety net clinics, mental health centers, hospitals and day programs – are struggling to serve their communities as they are forced to reduce hours, lay off staff and otherwise restrict access to care. The human toll of this Medicaid disenrollment crisis is real: it is well documented that after losing coverage, Coloradans are skipping medications and treatments and delaying care until it cannot be ignored any longer. This is resulting in pain and suffering for our communities, more inefficient and expensive care delivery for the health care system today and will result in higher health care costs in the future, as people miss out on the basic services that keep them healthy. The crisis facing Medicaid disproportionately impacts immigrant communities, who often encounter significant barriers to accessing and maintaining coverage, including language differences, fear of repercussions related to immigration status, and administrative complexities. A failure to acknowledge that reality in Colorado’s budget demonstrates a lack of concern for the challenges facing low and middle income Coloradans and the safety net organizations dedicated to serving them.
Legislators are seeing and hearing about the impacts of this crisis in the communities they serve and they understand the urgency to act. We look forward to partnering with members of the Joint Budget Committee and their colleagues in the General Assembly to prioritize Coloradans’ access to health care and our health care safety net in the 2025-26 budget process by:
Investing in infrastructure fixes and supports to make it easy for every Coloradan eligible for Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus to enroll and stay enrolled
Protecting and maximizing the Primary Care Fund
Maximizing every opportunity to draw down additional federal Medicaid matching funds
Identifying ways that Colorado can expand access to state resources
Reducing administrative burdens on providers to free up resources for patient care
Adams County Health Department
African Chamber of Commerce Colorado USA
American Academy of Pediatrics, Colorado Chapter
Caring for Colorado Foundation
Clinica Colorado
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Chronic Care Collaborative
Colorado Academy of Family Physicians
Colorado Association of Family & Children’s Agencies
Colorado Association of Family Medicine Residencies
Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials
Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council
Colorado Center on Law and Policy
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Colorado Community Health Network
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
Colorado Gerontological Society
Colorado Hospital Association
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition
Colorado Medical Society
Colorado Rural Health Center
Colorado Safety Net Collaborative
CommonSpirit Health
Craig Hospital
Denver Health
Doctors Care
Every Child Pediatrics
Family Voices Colorado
Fostering Colorado
HCA HealthONE
Health Colorado, Inc.
Health District of Northern Larimer County
Healthier Colorado
Immunize Colorado
Jefferson Center for Mental Health
Kids First
Lupus Colorado
National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, Colorado Chapter
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center
Rose Community Foundation
Southwest Health System, Inc.
UCHealth
Vivent Health
Western Health Alliance
Youth Healthcare Alliance