Colorado Leaders Urge Improvement on GOP Federal Budget Bill: A Call for Better Solutions

As U.S. House Republicans work on a budget bill, Colorado Democrats and community leaders are raising serious concerns. They believe this legislation could harm many Coloradans and suggest that a pause is necessary.

Mitzi Moran, CEO of Sunrise Community Health, criticized the bill, known as H.R. 1 or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” She emphasized the need for careful reevaluation of Medicaid and health insurance programs to secure better outcomes for residents. Key Democratic voices, including Senator John Hickenlooper and Governor Jared Polis, joined the virtual discussion to voice their worries about the potential impact of the proposed cuts.

The bill threatens significant reductions in healthcare funding, food assistance, and jobs. It could affect:

– Over 377,000 Coloradans losing health coverage.
– Tens of thousands potentially facing food assistance cuts.
– A projected loss of $10 billion in federal support for hospitals.
– The risk of closure or service reductions for at least six rural hospitals.

Not all costs connected to the bill are clear, as various versions are being proposed in Congress.

### Community Perspectives

In northern Colorado, Moran painted a grim picture of the potential fallout. Sunrise Community Health serves around 43,000 people annually, with many relying on Medicaid. Before Medicaid expanded under the Affordable Care Act, about half of Sunrise’s patients were uninsured. Now, with Medicaid, that number has reversed, cutting the uninsured rate significantly. However, the new bill could strip coverage from 11,000 patients, putting them back at risk.

Meanwhile, in southwest Colorado, Joe Theine, CEO of the Southwest Health System in Cortez, described the critical services his hospital provides, such as emergency care and surgeries. A significant portion of their funding also comes from Medicaid, and Theine noted that cuts could jeopardize essential services, forcing patients to travel long distances for care.

Adam Fox from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative warned that the proposed federal cuts would impact state economies. He highlighted that for every dollar spent on Medicaid, Colorado sees over double in economic activity. This ripple effect could hit rural areas the hardest, where healthcare is already stretched thin.

### Diverging Opinions

Republican Representative Gabe Evans argued that it’s possible to streamline Medicaid without cutting vital services for vulnerable populations. He emphasized the need for responsible use of taxpayer funds. On the other hand, Democrats sharply criticized the bill, claiming it favors the wealthy at the expense of those in need.

Hickenlooper called the proposal a “travesty,” urging for a reevaluation to avoid adding to the national deficit and harming thousands of Coloradans. Similarly, Representative Brittany Pettersen brought emotional weight to the conversation, sharing her personal experiences with the importance of government programs for individuals battling addiction.

Lastly, Kevin Patterson, CEO of Connect for Health Colorado, highlighted that the bill could lead to 86,000 Coloradans losing health coverage through the state’s marketplace. He described the looming changes as a tsunami—a wave that seems distant but will hit hard when the reality sets in.

### Conclusion

As the debate continues, many in Colorado are uneasy. The potential effects of the budget bill will not only change healthcare access but also ripple through the economy, affecting daily life for countless residents. The urgency to reconsider the proposed cuts is palpable among health leaders and lawmakers alike.



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