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Senate approves $360M supplemental for Health Care Policy and Financing amid criticism of forecasting
Summary
Senators approved a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, while critics on the floor said repeated forecasting errors require stronger accountability.
Senators on Feb. 6 approved Senate Bill 93, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), after floor debate about the department’s forecasting and budget management.
The nut graf: Supporters said the funding is necessary to maintain Medicaid and related services for Coloradans; opponents called the request the product of repeated forecasting failures and urged stronger oversight.
Senator Marchman spoke in support of the measure, saying the department serves “over 1,700,000 Coloradans” and that approval was needed to avoid service disruptions. Marchman added, “We are in this position today because of bad forecasting,” and said the Senate should demand “regular reporting from HCPF on spending, provider access, and efficiency improvements.”
Senator Pelton B argued against the appropriation, criticizing the department’s growth and forecasting. “I’m not going to vote for this today because I don’t think they need any more money,” Pelton said, asking colleagues for a no vote.
The Senate’s minority leader also voiced opposition on the floor, characterizing the forecasting error as material and stating that the supplemental request represented “the failure of leadership” that the chamber should not ignore.
The vote: Senate Bill 93 passed on third reading with a recorded tally of 23 ayes, 8 no, 0 absent, and 4 excused. The bill’s title was read on the floor by the clerk, and Senator Bridges moved for passage before debate and the recorded vote.
Details cited on the floor: speakers referenced a forecasting shortfall of roughly 15% affecting upcoming general-fund projections; floor remarks included dollar figures describing the shortfall as approximately $87,000,000 in general fund obligation and roughly $360,000,000 across all funding sources, which a floor speaker framed as about 2.2% of the department’s budget looking back.
What happens next: With legislative passage on third reading, the supplemental appropriation will proceed per statutory appropriation processes; senators who supported the bill said they expect HCPF to deliver improved forecasts and regular reporting to the Legislature.
Votes at a glance: SB 93 — passed 23 ayes, 8 no, 0 absent, 4 excused (mover: Senator Bridges).
