By Matt VanAuken, DP Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Earlier this year, the Colorado Legislature enacted a significant new piece of legislation under Senate Bill 26-187, paving the way for a comprehensive examination of the state’s healthcare safety net. The law officially establishes the Commission on Medicaid, a bipartisan body composed of state lawmakers from both political parties tasked with addressing the long-term viability and operational efficiency of the state’s healthcare programs. As this major legislative initiative gets underway, community advocates and organizational leaders are stepping up efforts to ensure that the individuals and families who rely on these services remain fully informed about what these developments mean for their daily lives.
The creation of the Commission marks a critical juncture for Colorado’s public healthcare landscape. With healthcare costs continuously rising and budgetary pressures mounting across the nation, state leaders are taking a proactive approach to evaluate how the system functions. The core mandate handed to the Commission is focused on a singular, monumental question: how Colorado can make Medicaid work better and last longer for the diverse populations who depend on it for their health and well-being.
What is this Commission?
Operating as an official interim legislative body, the Commission on Medicaid brings together a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, including both Republicans and Democrats, to collaborate on structural improvements to the state’s healthcare framework. Rather than trying to tackle these complex issues during the fast-paced and high-pressure environment of the regular legislative session, lawmakers have designed this interim structure to provide the necessary time, focus, and resources for deep exploration.
By statutory requirement, the Commission must convene for a minimum of six meetings, with a cap of twelve meetings, scheduled between May and December. During these intensive working sessions, lawmakers hear testimony from healthcare experts, state agency officials, financial analysts, and members of the public. Once these deliberations conclude, the Commission is required to compile its findings and submit a formal report to the Colorado Legislature and the Governor. This report will feature concrete recommendations for legislative changes, policy adjustments, and administrative improvements aimed at securing the future of Medicaid in the state.
Why does this matter?
The implications of the Commission’s work extend across the entire spectrum of public healthcare in Colorado, touching millions of lives and billions of dollars in public expenditures. Medicaid serves as the financial backbone for a wide array of vital medical and support services, ranging from basic preventive care to specialized assistance for individuals with complex medical needs and disabilities.
Among the critical areas under review is the provision of Long-Term Services and Supports, commonly referred to as LTSS. This specialized category of care plays an indispensable role in the lives of individuals with disabilities, providing the necessary assistance that allows them to live independently in their own homes and local communities rather than being forced into institutional settings.
Although individuals who utilize LTSS represent a relatively small percentage of the total population enrolled in Medicaid, the cost of delivering these comprehensive, personalized services accounts for a substantial share of total program expenditures. Because of this dynamic financial reality, stakeholders anticipate that the Commission will dedicate a significant portion of its time and analysis to examining program costs, service delivery models, and the reimbursement rates paid to healthcare and support providers.
The ultimate outcomes of these discussions carry immense weight. Recommendations produced by the Commission are expected to serve as the direct blueprint for future bills and statutory amendments introduced during upcoming legislative sessions. During the standard annual session, lawmakers simply do not have the luxury of time required to meticulously dissect the complex mechanics of Medicaid funding, provider networks, and service eligibility criteria. The establishment of this interim Commission bridges that gap, granting lawmakers the dedicated space needed to craft informed, impactful policy between the 2026 and 2027 legislative sessions.
To understand the scope of the Commission’s work, it is also essential to distinguish between standard public health insurance and specialized community supports. Health First Colorado, which functions as the state’s Medicaid State Plan, primarily covers conventional medical needs, such as routine doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions. In contrast, LTSS encompasses a broader, more individualized array of supports designed to assist with daily living activities, community integration, and long-term care management. These services are vital for ensuring dignity and independence, helping participants remain safely integrated within their neighborhoods rather than transitioning to more costly institutional care facilities.
What is DP doing?
As these high-stakes discussions unfold at the state capitol, organizations closely tied to the disability and support community are maintaining a vigilant watch. Leaders and advocates are actively monitoring every development coming out of the Commission meetings, ensuring that policy discussions remain grounded in the real-world experiences of those who rely on the system.
The strategy moving forward involves direct engagement. Organizations are preparing to bring comprehensive information, administrative data, and firsthand perspectives directly to lawmakers. By keeping lines of communication open with members of the Commission, advocates aim to ensure that the voices and needs of the individuals and families who rely on these programs remain central to the ongoing conversation about the future of Medicaid in Colorado.
How can you follow along?
Transparency is a cornerstone of the Commission’s mandate, and every meeting held by the body is fully open to the public. Members of the community who wish to stay informed about the policy debates, financial reviews, and legislative proposals being discussed have multiple avenues for participation.
Interested individuals can tune in to listen to proceedings live as they happen or access comprehensive audio and video recordings of past sessions at a later date. State legislative platforms maintain up-to-date calendars and agendas for public review, ensuring that the community remains fully empowered to track the progress of the interim committee through its scheduled conclusion in December.
How can you share your story?
For individuals, families, and caregivers whose lives are directly impacted by Medicaid and LTSS, the Commission’s interim process represents a genuine opportunity to make their voices heard by state policymakers. Lawmakers rely heavily on public testimony and direct community feedback to understand the practical consequences of state policies.
Public input mechanisms, including surveys and comment opportunities shared by the Commission, provide direct channels for community members to share their personal stories, challenges, and constructive ideas directly with the lawmakers drafting future legislation. Engaging through these official channels ensures that lived experiences help shape the policy solutions under consideration.
We’ll keep you posted
Navigating large-scale legislative changes and understanding complex healthcare policies can naturally generate questions and uncertainty for the individuals and families who depend on these safety-net programs. Organizational leadership remains fully committed to watching this legislative process unfold closely, analyzing emerging details, and sharing critical updates with the community as new information becomes available.
Individuals seeking additional guidance, help finding specialized supports and resources, or assistance in understanding their available options are encouraged to reach out directly through established communication channels. Community members can connect by visiting online contact portals or by reaching out via email for personalized assistance. Subscribing to organizational newsletters and following active social media channels on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn provides an additional way to stay connected and ensure that important updates regarding the future of Colorado’s Medicaid program are never missed.
