Health advocates from across Colorado expressed concerns Tuesday morning during a virtual press conference hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) over the impact looming Medicaid cuts and changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace will have on Coloradans, specifically cancer patients, and the state’s rural population.
According to recent estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), nearly 11 million people nationwide would lose health insurance under the current proposal before Congress. Additionally, more than 152,000 Coloradans will lose health insurance if this bill is passed, including more than 8,800 children. More than 1.2 million Coloradans rely on health insurance provided by Medicaid. Thirty-five percent of enrollees are children. The U.S. Senate and House are expected to vote on proposed cuts and changes by the end of June, with a goal of getting the bill to the president by July 4th.
Rachel Sanchez, a Greeley resident and Medicaid enrollee, spoke during Tuesday’s event. She is currently battling leukemia and has survived previous bouts with cancer over the last 14 years. Sanchez explained how vital Medicaid has been during those battles emphasizing that “cancer patients on Medicaid are not the enemy.”
Medicaid and access to affordable healthcare is a critical lifeline for people throughout Colorado, especially in rural areas. Konnie Martin, CEO of San Luis Valley Health in Alamosa highlighted the risk the federal spending bill poses to healthcare services and jobs in rural areas of the state.
“If we’re not here for Medicaid patients, we’re not here for any patient,” said Martin. “If these cuts got through, we anticipate a thirty percent reduction in Medicaid funding for my hospital. A loss that large will mean a reduction or elimination in many services. Rural healthcare providers just like me already face significant challenges. We may be speaking about cuts in Medicaid funding, but let’s not be mistaken – we’re talking about impacting every person in this community’s ability to receive care.”
As the largest employer in the region, Martin warned that a reduction in funding would lead to people losing their jobs which would impact the availability of services such as home health, nursing homes, physical therapy, pharmacies and more.
Having access to healthcare coverage is one of the greatest predictors of whether someone survives cancer and other chronic conditions. More than 29,000 Coloradans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2025.
R.J. Ours, ACS CAN Colorado Government Relations Director emphasized how important affordable healthcare is for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer.
“Medicaid is a lifeline for cancer patients because it ensures affordable healthcare for people who have become too sick to work,” said Ours. “If the proposed cuts to Medicaid pass, people living with cancer could have their care interrupted or stopped completely. Others, would lose access to regular cancer screenings and prevention.”
Ours also noted how failing to extend enhanced premium tax credits for the ACA market would cause insurance costs to soar raising concerns about even more Colorado residents losing health insurance which echoed a recent warning given by Governor Jared Polis.
Tuesday’s press conference included remarks from Diana Pineda, Executive Director of Vuela for Health who offered a perspective on how Medicaid cuts and changes to affordable healthcare would impact the Latino community in Colorado. The event coincided with ACS CAN’s social media day of action, as well. The organization mobilized volunteers from across the country on social media platforms to urge members of Congress to protect Medicaid and reject changes that would cause healthcare costs to soar.