Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has proposed capping some reimbursement rates and limiting dental benefits in an effort to save the state money, The Colorado Sun reported.
Seven notes:
1. Gov. Polis has said Medicaid cuts are necessary to prevent cuts to other state services.
2. Medicaid spending has reportedly increased by 8.8% each year, about double the rate the state is allowed to spend under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.
3. Fiscal analysts have also told the state’s Joint Budget Committee that providing the same level of government programs and services during the next fiscal year will cost $850 million more than the state’s available funds.
4. The governor’s budget proposal for the 2026-27 fiscal year calls for several measures, including prior authorization for more services, cost sharing and additional payment caps.
5. The state used to have a $1,500 annual cap on Medicaid benefits. Under the proposal, the state would reinstate a cap, but at $3,000 instead of $1,500.
6. Gov. Polis issued an executive order in September to cut Medicaid spending, including a $2,500,000 cut to dental rates and a rollback of the state’s 1.6% reimbursement rate increase.
7. The governor’s proposed budget is sent to the state’s Joint Budget Committee, which ultimately writes the budget each year and sends it to the General Assembly for final approval.
