Commissioners discuss drafting letter to federal representatives urging protection of Medicaid amid proposed changes

Commissioners discussed a request circulated through Colorado Counties Acting Together (CCAT) and local health advocates on May 14 to ask the county to send a letter to Colorado's congressional delegation urging protections for Medicaid eligibility and opposing proposed expansions of work requirements and more frequent redeterminations.

County commissioners said the issue is timely because members of Congress were discussing budget provisions that may reshape Medicaid; one local representative (CD‑3) has publicly opposed deep Medicaid cuts. The county's draft letter was based on language from Colorado Consumer Health Initiative and other county partners; commissioners asked staff to incorporate feedback from local health providers, including the federally qualified health center, and to circulate the revised draft to commissioners and CCAT members so it could be sent promptly and ratified at the next meeting if needed.

Commissioner Selena (identified by first name in the meeting) and others emphasized that increased work requirements and twice‑annual redeterminations would create administrative burdens for county human services and health providers and could reduce access to care for vulnerable patients. Staff agreed to update the draft, solicit feedback from UMC (the local clinic) and other stakeholders, and share a revised draft with commissioners for final sign‑off or ratification at a future meeting.

No final letter was voted on at the May 14 meeting; commissioners instructed staff to circulate and, if necessary, send the letter with a subsequent ratification on the record.