CMS Board of Directors votes to support CO Medicaid expansion and systemic reforms

Friday, January 25, 2013 01:47 PM

posted Jan. 25, 2013

The board of directors voted in January to support Medicaid expansion in Colorado while recommending specific reforms to the program. Sue Birch, executive director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which oversees the Medicaid program, addressed the board.

A member of the Hickenlooper cabinet, she gave an overview of Medicaid expansion in the state and spoke of the benefits of health insurance coverage in improving patients’ health and in containing health care costs. She also talked about the “Medicaid Five,” five efforts to enhance value in the program, and current cost-containment measures. Of the budget requests they plan to bring to the Legislature, the department is recommending a 1.5 percent provider rate increase to help attract and retain physicians who accept Medicaid.

Click here to read her comments.

Click here to read the CMS position statement on Medicaid expansion.

Plus, click here to read Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper’s position on Medicaid expansion.