Source: Denver7
Congress will begin considering a new plan this week that would significantly change Medicaid, a program that more than a million Coloradans depend on for healthcare coverage.
Because the bill in Congress was just released on Sunday night, it’s still too early for state leaders to say how exactly Colorado would be impacted by the proposed Medicaid changes. However, nonpartisan analysts say it would result in some people losing their coverage.
Meg Moore is the vocational program director of a job training program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We run a job training program through the forum of a recycling company [known as SustainAbility], so we hire adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, and we provide job training on the soft skills of employment to get them prepared for jobs out in the community,” Moore said.
The program is funded through Medicaid.
“Many people aren’t even aware of what Medicaid programs are because they kind of happen in the background in our communities,” said Moore.
She worries the program’s days could be numbered if Congress makes cuts to Medicaid.
“The loss of those services would just be completely devastating to this community because truly there is no alternative if these services go away,” said Moore.
Republicans on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce introduced a new bill on Sunday that would require able-bodied adults without children to work, go to school, or volunteer at least 80 hours a month to continue receiving benefits.
It would also reduce federal funding to states like Colorado that offer state-funded healthcare to undocumented immigrants.
Republicans say the plan “strengthens Medicaid” by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in the program.
“This bill follows through on Republicans’ promises to cut waste, fraud, and abuse while protecting coverage for Colorado’s most vulnerable populations,” said Colorado Congressman Gabe Evans, R-CO08, who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee. “The critics will spread fear about cuts for political purposes, so let me clear: this bill allows Medicaid spending to increase year-over-year for the next ten years. As the father of a medically complex kid, I understand how significant programs like this are, and that’s why I am committed to protecting Medicaid and ensuring its longevity for the people who need it most.”
Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee asked the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to analyze the plan. The CBO said the plan would reduce the deficit by $912 billion over 10 years and lead to 8.6 million people losing their Medicaid coverage in 2034.
