SPEAK UP NOW! Medicaid faces huge cuts. It’s time for BADASS advocacy.

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Medicaid programs and waivers are complicated. It is my life’s purpose to figure them out, and it took me 10+ years. It is unwise for legislators to put Medicaid on the chopping block just so they can claim that they’re achieving quick cuts and cost savings. It seems decisions are being made quickly at the federal level without much regard as to how they impact disabled individuals.

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Other items of concern on state level: what happens to Medicaid, waivers, special education IDEA law, and 504 protections when federal departments and programs are repealed, or funds are slashed or eliminated? The federal funds flow down to fund state and local programs.
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What if Congress repeals the Affordable Care Act? It’s likely that all of these programs will be impacted: Medicaid expansion programs, Community First Colorado, the affordable care marketplace connect for Colorado and the loss of protections for pre-existing conditions with commercial insurance carriers.
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The Colorado Tax Payer Bill of Rights (TABOR), does not allow the state legislature to increase the budget to cover the shortfall. So it’s likely that many program enrollments could be halted, more waitlists will be created, budgets and benefits will be cut in half or more, and so many more people will become uninsured and uninsurable.

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What can YOU do? TAKE ACTION: Get involved and speak up

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Why? Because your voice matters. Our disabled loved ones matter. The future health of our state and our nation matters. It is our responsibility to speak up! Legislators may be voting on Medicaid cuts as soon as the end of February, so NOW is the time to make your voice heard at the state and federal levels.
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“Action is the antidote to despair.”​
- Joan Baez
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“…Civil rights are not a guarantee of the good life, but an equal opportunity and responsibility to participate in producing the good life for oneself and for all. Government alone cannot implement ADA; this is a responsibility of all Americans.”​
- Justin Dart, the ‘Father of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)’

Info HERE
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Contact your state and federal legislators before it's too late

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We ALL need to take action by making phone calls and sending emails to our elected officials at the state and federal levels. Share your story and your concerns. Find your state legislators HERE. Find federal elected officials HERE Do your own research to find out when they’re holding community meetings, then attend and speak up.
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​Where can I see positions others are taking on current Colorado Legislation?

Badass insider tip: you can look up the positions of organizations (search by bill number, client or lobbyist) who have lobbyists here on our Secretary of State lobbyist website HERE. There are three positions that a lobbyist can file on behalf of their client: Supporting, Opposing or Amending. These lobbyists then stand outside in the ‘lobby’ and wait to talk to legislators about the interests of their client. You can also use this search tool to look up a lobbyist and find out who has engaged their services, as well as the last few months billing HERE.
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More things you can do

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1) Join the free online NDC Community because you’ll receive more frequent and detailed 'insider' policy updates than I provide in this monthly newsletter, so join HERE.​
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2) Support and follow Colorado House Bill HB25-1017 HERE as it goes through legislative process. It takes the Federal Olmstead dictate and puts it into state statute, to protect Colorado's commitment to serve our disabled members living in the community rather than institutions.
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​What is Olmstead? Olmstead v. L.C. was a landmark 1999 Supreme Court case that ruled that institutionalizing people with disabilities without a valid reason is discrimination. It is one of, if not the most, important Supreme Court decision that has shaped policy around the rights of people with disabilities and the services they receive. It laid the groundwork for the system of care we have today, which keeps people in their homes and communities. Why do we need state protections? Recent decisions in the federal judiciary have shifted public policy away from a federalized system and back to a more state-centered approach. There may be a time in the future where rights like the Olmstead right are returned back to the states to determine the best approach. If that happens, this law will be crucial to ensuring that Colorado provides community based services to people with disabilities and does not institutionalize them.
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3) Feb. 20, 11:30AM-12:30PM: What's Next for Disability Justice? Join the Disability Law Colorado Discussion
Register HERE​
FREE online discussion Thursday, Feb. 20, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM on how we can take action in these uncertain times. With potential cuts to Medicaid, DEI&A programs, and shuttering the Department of Education, much is at stake for disability rights in 2025.
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​4) Feb. 27, 4-5:30PM: Attend the CCDC State Budget Town Hall​
Register HERE
​for disability community members on Thursday, February 27th. During the remote virtual meeting, they will share information as well as discuss potential cuts. Sign up for their newsletter updates HERE.
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5) Mar. 5, 7:30AM - 3PM: Join Mental Health Colorado for Our Annual Legislative Education & Advocacy Day (LEAD)!
​Register HERE | First Baptist Church, 1373 Grant Street Denver, & State Capitol
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​Morning at the Capitol | 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Join us at the First Baptist Church of Denver for an advocacy training breakfast followed by a trip to the Colorado State Capitol building to observe floor proceedings and directly engage with legislators on key policies that impact Coloradans' health and well-being.
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​Afternoon Event: Care, Not Cuffs - Strong Start for All Children & Support for Families | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM: We’ll go back from the Capitol to the First Baptist Church for a complimentary networking lunch with fellow advocates, partner organizations, policymakers and officials. You’ll hear from two panels of Colorado experts whose work addresses the intersection of mental health, criminal justice, and family support.
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6) Mar. 6, 8AM - 12PM: Attend Disability Rights Advocacy Day (D-RAD 2025)
​Register HERE​
​Attend D-RAD 2025, Disability Rights Advocacy Day, hosted by The ARC of Colorado. Join us at the Colorado State Capitol for a day of disability rights empowerment, education, and advocacy. Attend and make your voice heard, connect with fellow advocates, and learn from inspiring speakers. Together, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and accessible society for all. More info: www.DisabilityRightsAdvocacyDay.org
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7) Get involved by attending state Medicaid disability Policy meetings ​
​The meetings calendar is HERE.
​All meetings have remote online attendance options! Meetings are hosted by our state Medicaid office, Health Care Policy and Financing Office of Community Living, which oversees all Medicaid waivers and disability related topics. Sign up to speak up!
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8) Monitor our State Medicaid Agency Healthcare Policy and Financing (HCPF) page

Bookmark it HERE.
​Get updates on the new implementation of Community First Choice and its related new waiver ‘overlay’ and updates on: Community First Choice (CFC); Children with Complex Health Needs (CwCHN) Waiver; Colorado Single Assessment and Person-Centered Support Plan (CSA and PCSP); Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) Decommissioning; Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Efforts; Skilled Nurse Assessor; and Pediatric Long-Term Home Health (PLTHH) Prior Authorization Request (PAR) Restart.
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I have a reputation for being a Badass advocate for the disability community, and now because it may be more important than ever before, I’m asking you to become your own Badass by taking action NOW. Every voice matters when it comes to preserving the level of services that Colorado’s disabled citizens desperately need and deserve.

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Want to stay on top of policy updates and get my insider perspective and tips? Please join our online NDC Community, a safe space for support and the most up-to-date policy updates and analysis from yours truly, the Badass of Colorado’s disability system.

FREE INFO SESSION WITH MAUREEN! MARCH 5TH, 7-8PM - JOIN US!

Wondered if a waiver is right for your disabled loved one? Get the inside scoop straight from the Badass of Colorado Medicaid waivers. Here's another good reason to attend: Only Info Session attendees are invited to enroll in our program, Roadmap for the Waiver Journey, which teaches EVERYTHING you need to successfully apply for, or maximize, a waiver for your disabled loved one and family. Waivers offer up to $100K annually in potential caregiver income and the value of services you can access, and this Info Session is your first step to stop missing out on these benefits!

Roadmap for the Waiver Journey:​
​The ONLY program that teaches EVERYTHING you need to get a or use a Colorado Medicaid waiver!

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If you have a disabled family member, Medicaid waivers provide peace of mind and up to $100K annually in disability services and potential family caregiver income. If you become a paid caregiver, you could cover the one-time investment to join our program in just two to four weeks! The reason our community needs this program is because it's HARD to get a waiver on your own. It's not your fault; it's because the Colorado disability benefits system is a confusing mess! Roadmap for the Waiver Journey teaches you how to successfully apply for and maximize a waiver through all the ages and stages of your loved one's life. Get on this special email list for program info!

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Imagine YOUR LIFE TRANSFORMED after getting a Colorado Medicaid waiver!

• Your disabled loved one has a lifetime safety net no matter what happens to you.
• You earn extra annual income for the care you're already providing.
• Your disabled loved one gets medical insurance with no out-of-pocket costs.
• Your disabled loved one can access therapies and many support services.
• You can access respite and caregiving services for your disabled loved one to give yourself well-deserved breaks from the exhaustion of caregiving!
• You can free up more time for your own sleep, self-care, work or hobbies.
• Life for your family is transformed - less stress, more fun and fulfilment!

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My son is turning 18 soon! If your disabled child is transitioning to an adult too, watch this!

If your disabled child is on a Colorado Medicaid waiver, or you're thinking about applying for a waiver, did you know that you'll need to change the waiver after age 18? Maureen talks about her journey with her own son in order to explain the decisions you'll need to make, and your options, when it comes to waiver changes, living arrangements, guardianship and disability benefits. Get free Badass insights!

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FOR PAID CAREGIVERS AND FAMILIES SEEKING CARE! Free Info Session on how we get you CONNECTED!

If you've had a tough time finding paid caregivers and service providers for your disabled loved one, this is for you. If you're a paid caregiver who wants to get connected to families who need your service, this is for you too. Join our next FREE live info session on March 6th from 7-7:30pm and learn about the opportunities for both caregiver service providers and families that are available through DisabilityCareColorado.com! It's easy - let's get connected!