Press Releases

WHEAT RIDGE – Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) convened local health care leaders at Lutheran Hospital to highlight the devastating impact of Medicaid cuts that congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration have included in their latest federal budget proposal. 

Medicaid is a lifeline for families across the country, covering 40% of all births nationwide and ensuring that children, seniors, and people with disabilities can access the care they need. Under their proposed plan to cut $4.5 trillion in taxes for billionaires and big corporations, House Republicans will make drastic spending cuts to programs millions of Colorado families rely on, like Medicaid.

“Republicans are threatening to take health care away from kids, seniors, and those who need it most to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations,” said Pettersen. “Make no mistake: slashing Medicaid will have consequences for everyone—crowded hospitals, longer wait times, and overwhelmed emergency rooms as those without coverage are left with nowhere else to turn. As a mom, I can’t imagine the fear of not being able to take my child to the doctor when they’re sick. We should be working to strengthen access to critical care, not dismantle the limited safety net we have. Thank you to Lutheran Hospital and the health care providers, hospital administrators, and patients who joined us today to share how these cuts will impact their services and the life-saving care Colorado families rely on.”

At today’s press conference at Lutheran Hospital, Rep. Pettersen was joined by Colorado Hospital Association CEO and President Jeff Tieman; Denver Health Chief Government and Community Affairs Officer Dr. Steven Federico; Westside Women’s Care OB-GYN Dr. Lindsay Eun; Advocates for Recovery Executive Director Tonya Wheeler; and Medicaid recipients Brooke and Quinn Harris. These local leaders spoke on the impact Medicaid cuts will have on Colorado families. Following the press event, Rep. Pettersen toured the hospital.

“Medicaid is vital to the health and wellbeing of nearly 25 percent of Coloradans,” said Jeff Tieman, President and CEO of the Colorado Hospital Association. “The impact of cuts to this critical program will be devastating to many and may even threaten survival for our most vulnerable and the strength of our health care system.”

“Medicaid provides stability by helping families avoid burdensome medical debt, receive services in schools, and obtain health care equipment such as wheelchairs and oxygen,” said Dr. Steven Federico, Denver Health Chief of Government and Community Affairs. “As a physician, I urge congress to protect our families and children by fully funding Medicaid and ensure that those who are working hard to make ends meet can see their health care teams and get the therapies and medications that they need to continue supporting their families.” 

“As an OB/Gyn physician, I have the honor of helping women and welcoming new babies,” said Dr. Lindsey Eun, OB-GYN at Westside Women’s Care. “I also believe strongly that every woman deserves prenatal care, preventive care, and the chance to optimize her health.  Access to Medicaid is of utmost importance for my patients and their families.”

“When my vibrant, happy, loving daughter Quinn was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma on Dec. 15, 2022, my family was heartbroken, terrified, and forever changed,” said Brooke Harris, Evergreen resident. “Not only were we scared that Quinn could die, we also became worried that we could lose our home, which would have been horrible for our children to have to adjust to as well. I hope that by sharing my family’s story, people will see that we are real, kind, hard-working people who just want our children to grow up and to be safe. We have met so many kind people from all different backgrounds since Quinn was diagnosed with cancer, and I hope that the kindness I have seen in others inspires us to come together to protect our Medicaid.”

“In the early 2000s I worked in Colorado as a substance use counselor in a women's treatment program and at that time Medicaid only covered pregnant women,” said Tonya Wheeler, Executive Director of Advocates for Recovery Colorado. “Cutting Medicaid creates the lack of coverage people need to gain access to treatment and recovery services in our state and will in turn increase overdose and alcohol related deaths. Both financially and ethically, we can’t afford to do that to Coloradans!”

According to KFF, these draconian cuts to Medicaid will disproportionately impact:

• Seniors (62% of Coloradans living in nursing homes rely on Medicaid)
• Children (34% of all Colorado children rely on Medicaid)
• Moms (36% of those giving birth and newborn babies rely on Medicaid)
• Those with disabilities (39% of working-age Coloradans with disabilities rely on Medicaid)

See full fact sheet on the impact of Medicaid cuts on Colorado HERE.