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Senate approves bill to create Medicaid study commission, adds managed-care stakeholders
Summary
Senate Bill 1 87 to create a commission to study Medicaid and related appropriations passed after the Senate granted permission for a third-reading amendment to add managed-care entities; floor debate emphasized rising Medicaid costs and the need to improve department management and data.
Senate Bill 1 87, which would create a commission to study Medicaid and authorize related appropriations, cleared the Colorado Senate after an amendment was added on the floor to explicitly include managed‑care entities as stakeholders.
The clerk read the bill title and Senator Amabile requested permission to offer a third‑reading amendment to add a stakeholder group that had asked for inclusion. Permission was granted and Amendment L02 (adding managed‑care entities to the stakeholder list) was adopted. Floor speakers framed the bill as a response to Medicaid becoming a growing portion of the state budget and stressed the need for improved data, management and anti‑fraud measures. "We have to get these costs under control," one senator said during remarks explaining the bill's purpose.
A final floor vote recorded 31 ayes and 4 no, and the bill passed as amended. Supporters said the commission will provide detailed review of program costs and management; opponents expressed concern about budget implications and the need for better data and fiscal transparency. The bill will now proceed in the legislative process in its amended form.
Implementation notes: the amendment adds managed‑care organizations to the list of stakeholders the commission will consult with; follow-up work is expected by staff and the Joint Budget Committee to identify data and reporting requirements.
