Clinica Family Health & Wellness has always closely monitored what is happening in Washington, D.C., and how decisions made by our elected officials impact our programs, our patients and clients, and our community. 

One major risk we now face is federal cuts to the Medicaid program.  

Congress is considering several reductions to Medicaid that would have serious and significant impacts on our state and the people who depend on this health insurance. Such cuts would be a major blow to community health centers (CHCs) like Clinica Family Health & Wellness because we serve a large portion of Colorado’s Medicaid population. Plus, Medicaid is a substantial funding source. 

According to a press release issued by the Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN):  

“Community Health Centers are a critical access point for health care in their communities and, especially in rural areas, may be the only health care provider in town. They are also local, community-led businesses that employ over 7,500 people in Colorado and contribute $1.7B to the state’s economy each year.”

To help protect these critical access points to health in your community, we are asking you to email your representative in Congress and urge them to protect Medicaid funding!

What is Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP? 

Medicaid is a government program, jointly managed by both federal and state governments, which helps cover medical costs for eligible people with low income and resources. There are federal rules and requirements that all states must follow, but each state runs its own Medicaid program and so it can differ depending on where you live. 

Like Medicaid, Medicare is also a health insurance program managed by the federal government. However, unlike Medicaid, Medicare is exclusively for people age 65 or older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. Medicare is run by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is the same across all states. 

CHIP – which stands for the Children’s Health Insurance Program – is a program focusing on providing affordable coverage for children. It is also known as CHP+. This program is intended for children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but who cannot afford private insurance coverage. 

Both Medicaid and Medicare were signed into law by Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 with Title XIX (also known as the Medicare and Medicaid Act) of the Social Security Act. CHIP was signed into law in 1997 by President Bill Clinton. 

Today, Medicaid is the primary program providing comprehensive coverage of health and long-term care to 83 million low-income people in the United States – meaning roughly one in five people living in the United States depend on Medicaid. 

Facts about Medicaid in Colorado 

Colorado’s Medicaid program is called Health First Colorado. This program helps Coloradoans access affordable physical health benefits, dental services, and behavioral health (mental health and substance use) care.  

According to KFF.org (formerly Kaiser Health News), 1.1 million people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP programs in Colorado in June 2024 – around 18.7% of the state’s overall population.  

In our geographic region of Adams, Boulder, Broomfield, and Gilpin counties, the percentage of people enrolled in Health First Colorado varies:  

• Adams County: 29.56% 

• Boulder County: 15.56% 

• City and County of Broomfield: 11.55% 

• Gilpin County: 19.19% 

Medicaid plays an even bigger role in supporting maternal and child health in Colorado, providing coverage for more than a third (36%) of all births in the state. 

Here at Clinica Family Health & Wellness, we provided essential medical, dental, and mental health care to 30,895 patients and clients covered by Medicaid or Medicare last year. Without this coverage, a vast majority of these individuals and families would not be able to afford health care. 

What’s more, CCHN points out that cuts to Medicaid – and the impact that would have on community health centers – would result in billions of dollars in lost economic output for Colorado at-large – as the recent Medicaid “unwind” following the Covid-19 pandemic showed.  

“Cuts to Medicaid would be devastating for Community Health Centers, who are exceptional stewards of federal dollars. Not only do CHCs save taxpayer money by treating health issues early and reducing costly trips to the Emergency Room, but they do so while stretching the Medicaid dollar… In 2023 alone, Colorado Community Health Network estimates that collectively Colorado CHCs generated $390M in Medicaid savings.”

What can you do to help protect Medicaid? 

You can advocate by sharing what these Medicaid cuts would mean for you, your loved ones, and our community. In particular, members of Congress must understand the gravity of the situation. Make your voice heard in the following ways:  

• Email. Email your representative in Congress and urge them to protect Medicaid funding! The Colorado Community Health Network has created this easy form you can use to send your representative a message. 

• Call. Dial (202) 224-3121 and provide your zip code to get connected with your member of Congress. Whether they answer or you have to leave a voicemail, be sure to tell them how cuts to Medicaid would impact you or your neighbors, and ask them to protect Medicaid.   

• Share. Please share this resource and call-to-action with your network of family, friends, and acquaintances on social media.  

Take action today!