eligibility

Gov. John Hickenlooper, in signing the law that expands Medicaid eligibility, has ensured that Colorado will be a healthier place in years to come.

The expansion of health insurance coverage means that many more Coloradans will get the care they need at the right time and in the right place. The governor signed Senate Bill 200 on Monday.

Expand Medicaid Eligibility

­­­­Senate Bill 13-200

Robert Semro, policy analyst
Testimony to the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­House Public Health Care & Human Services Committee
April 23, 2013

My name is Robert Semro, and I am a policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and advocacy organization founded on progressive values and dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

Bob Semro's piece on the expansion of Medicaid eligibility and how it will benefit low-income Coloradans aged 50-64 (Straight talk on health care reform: Expansion of Medicaid eligibility will help many low-income baby boomers) was posted as part of Viewpoints on the Kaiser Health News website.

The expansion of Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act will help thousands of Colorado families who lack insurance. You've probably heard that.

What you might not have heard is that the expansion will greatly benefit a large number of Colorado's aging baby boomers. These are low-income residents between the ages of 50 and 64 who may be in great need of health care coverage but often are not be able to afford it.

Expand Medicaid Eligibility

­­­­Senate Bill 13-200

Robert Semro, policy analyst
Testimony to the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Senate Health & Human Services Committee
March 14, 2013

My name is Robert Semro, and I am a policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and advocacy organization founded on progressive values and dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. SB 06-134 eliminates the asset limit as a condition of eligibility for Colorado Works or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

HB 06-1270 represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. Improved access to public medical benefits means eligible low-income students are more likely to be treated, which in turn boosts their chances for success in school. This is an important step toward closing the state's achievement gap.

The state government must examine the complexities of work support programs and create a comprehensive system that increases eligibility limits and phases benefits out gradually to avoid steep financial cliffs for working families.

SB 06-044 represents an opportunity gain for Colorado by making more low-income Coloradans eligible for the Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP). While estimates vary greatly, raising the eligibility limit could help 50,000 to 100,000 additional low-income Coloradans pay their medical bills.