August 13, John Daley with Colorado Public Radio, published a piece on KFF Health News about the ripple effects of Medicaid cuts in rural Colorado communities. Across the state, Medicaid covers one in five Coloradans, more than a million people, including children in foster care, Daley noted.

In Alamosa County, Daley reported that two in five residents are enrolled in Health First Colorado, the state’s Medicaid program. It serves as a lifeline, especially for people who would not otherwise have easy access to healthcare. This includes low-income seniors needing supplemental coverage alongside Medicare, and people of all ages with disabilities. Envisioning a future with significant Medicaid cutbacks leaves many patients worried.

For example, Daley mentioned that the hospital in Alamosa has its own labor and delivery unit. About 85 percent of the hospital’s labor and delivery patients are covered by Medicaid. Certain medical specialties may no longer be available, and some nursing homes may need to be closed, Daley reported.

Republicans in Congress who pushed for the big spending and tax law, which estimates suggest will result in large cuts to Medicaid, say they want to save money and make the government more efficient. Daley noted that many in the Alamosa County region voted for Donald Trump. Medicaid cuts could affect the voter base dramatically. “Any Medicaid cuts would hit the health system hard, but they would also affect small businesses and their employees. The region is feeling economic stress from other changes, like recent cuts the Trump administration made to the federal workforce,” Daley reported.