Bell opposes SB 85, rollbacks for Medicaid reforms

Policy analyst Robert Semro, the Bell's specialist in health issues, presented testimony against a bill that would roll back many Medicaid expansions and reforms.

Semro said that Senate Bill 85 would harm vulnerable Colorado residents, but it would also cause great harm to the state. Rollbacks under Senate Bill 85 would put almost $100 million of federal funding at risk. Also, several of the rollbacks would no sooner be put in place than they would have to be restored to conform with the Affordable Care Act.

The proposal is billed as a way to reduce General Fund expenditures, but rolling back eligibility requirements and undoing Medicaid reforms would harm Coloradans who rely on Medicaid and the Children's Health Plan (CHP+).

After much testimony against the bill, Sen. Shawn Mitchell, the bill's sponsor, moved to postpone it indefinitely. The vote was unanimous.

Click here to read Semro's testimony.