By Matt VanAuken, DP Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Earlier this year, the Colorado Legislature enacted a significant new piece of legislation, Senate Bill 26-187, which formally establishes the Commission on Medicaid. This legislative milestone represents a substantial step forward for the state’s healthcare landscape, and organizations across the community are actively working to ensure that individuals and families who rely on these vital public programs fully understand what these developments mean for their daily lives and long-term care plans.
The creation of this new interim body comes at a critical juncture for health policy in Colorado. As lawmakers grapple with balancing the state budget while meeting the growing healthcare and support needs of residents, the commission has been tasked with taking a comprehensive, bipartisan look at the entire Medicaid framework. For the thousands of Coloradans who depend on these services, staying informed and engaged as the commission conducts its work will be vital to ensuring that community voices remain central to future policy debates.
What is this Commission?
The newly formed Commission on Medicaid is a bipartisan legislative working group composed of state lawmakers from both political parties and both chambers of the General Assembly. Their primary directive is to tackle a singular, highly complex overarching question: how can the state of Colorado make its Medicaid program work better, operate more efficiently, and remain financially sustainable for the long-term benefit of the individuals who rely on it most?
Under the statutory guidelines established by Senate Bill 26-187, the commission is mandated to convene for a minimum of six meetings, with a cap of twelve meetings total, scheduled between May and December. During these intensive months of deliberation, lawmakers will hear testimony from state agencies, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and members of the public.
Once these working sessions conclude, the commission is required to submit a comprehensive final report directly to the Colorado Legislature and the Governor. This document will outline formal recommendations for legislative and administrative changes, potentially laying the groundwork for major policy shifts in the years to come.
Why does this matter?
To understand the profound impact this commission could have, it is helpful to look closely at how Medicaid funds are distributed across the state. Medicaid serves as the financial backbone for a vast array of medical and support services in Colorado, ranging from basic preventative care to specialized assistance for individuals with complex medical needs.
Among the many programs funded through Medicaid is Long-Term Services and Supports, commonly referred to as LTSS. This essential suite of programs helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and age-related medical needs live with dignity and independence in their own homes and local communities, rather than being forced into institutional settings.
While individuals who utilize LTSS represent a relatively small percentage of the total population enrolled in Colorado Medicaid, the specialized care they receive accounts for a remarkably large share of total program expenditures. Because of this high financial concentration, industry observers and participating organizations fully expect that the commission will spend a significant portion of its time discussing program costs, the scope of covered services, and the adequacy of reimbursement rates for the providers who deliver these hands-on supports.
The findings and subsequent recommendations generated by the commission are expected to heavily influence future legislation. During a standard, fast-paced legislative session, lawmakers face severe time constraints that make it nearly impossible to dive deep into the intricate funding mechanisms, service definitions, and regulatory details that govern Medicaid. The interim Commission on Medicaid provides legislators with the dedicated time and focus needed to thoroughly examine these complex topics between the 2026 and 2027 legislative sessions.
Furthermore, leadership organizations like Developmental Pathways emphasize the importance of distinguishing between different types of public coverage. Health First Colorado, which is the state’s official Medicaid State Plan and public health insurance program, primarily covers standard medical necessities such as physician visits, hospital care, and prescriptions. LTSS operates differently, offering a specialized layer of non-medical and community-based supports designed to maximize personal independence and help individuals remain integrated within their neighborhoods rather than moving into more costly institutional care facilities.
What is DP Doing?
As a leading organization dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, Developmental Pathways is monitoring the work of the Commission on Medicaid with intense interest. The organization is actively preparing to bring concrete information, real-world data, and lived experiences directly to lawmakers. By maintaining an active presence throughout this process, DP aims to ensure that the individuals, families, and direct support professionals who rely on and sustain these systems are fully represented in every conversation about the future of Medicaid.
How Can You Follow Along?
Transparency is a cornerstone of the legislative commission’s mandate. Every single meeting held by the Commission on Medicaid is open to the public, offering interested community members a direct window into the policymaking process.
Constituents and stakeholders have the option to listen to proceedings live as they happen or access full video and audio recordings at a later date through the state legislature’s digital portals. The complete meeting calendar, along with agendas and related documents, is publicly available on the official Colorado General Assembly website under the designated committee schedule for the Commission on Medicaid.
How Can You Share Your Story?
For individuals and families whose lives are directly touched by Medicaid and LTSS, this interim legislative process presents a rare and meaningful opportunity to make their voices heard by state decision-makers. Sharing personal experiences with care gaps, funding challenges, or the life-changing benefits of community-based services helps lawmakers connect abstract budgetary figures to human realities.
Throughout the commission’s operating window, various pathways for public participation are made available, including public input surveys and scheduled comment periods during hearings. As updated engagement opportunities—such as the public input surveys shared by the commission—are released, advocacy organizations work quickly to distribute these resources to the broader community.
For those seeking additional guidance, advocacy tools, or navigational support while following these statewide developments, a robust network of community resources remains accessible across Colorado. Local advocacy groups and developmental disability organizations continue to provide educational materials to help families understand their rights and options within the public healthcare system.
We’ll Keep You Posted
Navigating large-scale policy shifts and legislative overhauls can naturally raise numerous questions and concerns for individuals and families who depend on public safety-net programs. Developmental Pathways remains firmly committed to tracking this process closely, analyzing incoming developments, and sharing clear, timely information with the community as it becomes available.
Anyone seeking assistance with finding local supports, exploring available program options, or simply trying to understand how upcoming legislative changes might impact their household is encouraged to reach out. Community members can connect with the organization through the Developmental Pathways Contact Us page or by reaching out via email. Additionally, subscribing to organizational newsletters and following official social media channels on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ensures that stakeholders stay connected and do not miss any critical updates regarding the future of Medicaid in Colorado.
