Republicans’ reckless budget proposal doesn’t implement work requirements – it’s paperwork requirements that mean 140,000 Coloradans could lose access to the care they need. Not only that, it will cost our state $57 million a year and cut Medicaid by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade. Doctors and nurses will be fired. Hospitals and nursing homes that our families and seniors rely on will close their doors. And all to give tax breaks to billionaires and make it harder for people to qualify and stay qualified for health care.
This month, I met with medical providers, hospital administrators, and Governor Jared Polis for a roundtable discussion on the repercussions of Medicaid cuts. I heard directly from representatives from our community health centers, behavioral health centers, and rural hospitals who serve the most vulnerable Coloradans.The bottom line is that our state cannot shoulder the costs of this reckless budget, which will drive up costs for everyone.
Additionally, this budget will hit our rural communities hardest, where 31% of adults and 37% of children rely on Medicaid for their healthcare coverage. Half of Colorado’s 43 rural hospitals lose funding every year – these disastrous cuts could force them to close their doors and leave rural Coloradans without any care options in their area.
I offered several amendments to the Big Ugly Bill that would protect Medicaid, but House Republicans rejected all of them. Now, Senate Republicans are forcing the bill through and bringing the House back to Washington this week to vote on it to appease the Trump-imposed July 4 deadline.
I will continue to fight to protect Medicaid and lower health care costs across the board. I’m so grateful to Governor Polis for joining me, and thank our community health centers, hospitals, and behavioral health providers for raising their concerns and joining me for this important conversation this month. Our work is far from over.
