Colorado
Medicaid spending in Colorado is unsustainable, Gov. Jared Polis says
Gov. Jared Polis released his budget request for next year, and Medicaid will take a big hit. The governor says the health insurance program for low-income Coloradans is growing at nearly twice the rate of the state government overall.
Polis says, if the state doesn’t slow the rate of growth, the program will crowd out everything but funding for schools in the next few years.
In the state, 1.2 million Coloradans rely on Medicaid. The governor says none of them will lose coverage, but what that coverage looks like will change.
“There’s two levers on Medicaid,” Polis said during a press conference. “One is how many people you cover, and two is what you cover.”
Polis’ budget request hones in on what services Medicaid covers.
“There have been a number of benefits that have been added in recent years,” Polis continued. “Some of those are not sustainable over time.”
Polis’ budget would require prior authorization for more services, more cost sharing and new payment caps.
“For instance, whereas dental benefits for adults was at $1,500 and then was uncapped, Polis said. “We are saying don’t go back to $1,500, but go back to a $3,000 annual cap.”
The governor says Medicaid is growing by nearly 9% each year, double the rate of spending on other parts of government. He says it’s unsustainable.
“The increases in Medicaid costs would crowd out essentially everything the state does,” Polis said. “We would largely just fund schools and do Medicaid — no money for roads, no money for public safety.”
According to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), long-term care for older Coloradans and those with disabilities is driving the increase in costs. HCPF says it makes up about 5% of Medicaid enrollment but accounts for about half of all claims.
The state spends about $16 billion each year on Medicaid, which was projected to grow by $630 million this year. Polis’ budget provides about half that $300 million.
Polis also increases spending on K-12 schools by $276 million, universal preschool $14 million, and public safety by $10 million, while limiting higher education tuition increases to 2.6%.
Additionally, the governor set aside $8 million to $12 million to increase the number of civil commitment beds after CBS Colorado reporting on dangerous offenders with mental health issues being released.
“We are holding money for a supplemental in this area and working with law enforcement and legislators on the policy and hope that we can bring that forward in January or sooner,” Polis said.
The governor cut funding for 12 of the 17 state departments, saving about $25 million in all. Public safety saw the biggest increase — about $11 million.
Polis’ total budget adds up to nearly $51 billion, which is about a 6% increase over last year’s budget. Of that amount, $19 billion is the general fund, which is what lawmakers have most control over and where funding for Medicaid and K-12 schools originates.
The governor’s budget is a starting point. The Joint Budget Committee will make changes to it and send its budget to the Colorado House and Senate. They will make more changes before the final budget goes to the governor for his signature.
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DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado teenager who lost her leg in a shark attack isn’t just walking again; she’s sharing the spotlight with one of her favorite hockey players.
Seventeen-year-old Annabelle Carlson took the runway Sunday at the Colorado Avalanche’s annual charity brunch, an event that raises money for community programs supported by Kroenke Sports Charities. The fundraiser, now in its third decade, is considered one of the team’s most impactful events of the year.
Carlson walked arm-in-arm with Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, drawing applause from a crowd of more than 450 attendees.
Standing tall again has been a long journey for the Colorado high school student. Carlson lost her leg after surviving a shark attack during a family trip to Belize in 2024. Since then, she has undergone multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
“I think being negative about things like this — it takes such a toll on how you view yourself and how you get through things,” Carlson said. “But I’d rather see everything like, not everything you lose is a loss.”
Carlson has now returned to skiing and hopes to pick back up with playing her favorite sport, lacrosse. But it took a lot of guts and resilience to get to where she is now.
“In my eyes, she’s extraordinary,” Landeskog said. “What she’s gone through at that age, it’s not easy to do.”
The charity event highlights children who have overcome serious medical challenges, pairing them with Avalanche players for a runway walk to spotlight their strength. Players also served brunch and helped auction off team gear and game tickets.
“It was really cool to meet him,” Carlson said of Landeskog. “It’s definitely a flex. Not everyone gets to meet the Avalanche. I’m super lucky and super excited to be here.”
Having gone through some injuries of his own, including damage to his knee, which took him out of play for several seasons, Landeskog said Carlson’s attitude is remarkable.
“She’s young, she’s brave,” he said. “I feel like she’s got a better head on her shoulders than I do, so I feel like I can learn a lot from her as well.”
The team said many players stay in touch with the children and their families long after the event ends, adding that the annual brunch is a day the whole team looks forward to each year.
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