Medicaid Opportunities, Learn and take Action- This means YOU! 1/20 update

Learn

You can dive deep and read my post from a few days ago. It summarizes recent budget related memos.

Badass Reaction:

HCPFs policy making via memos and moving forward with changes before full approval is deeply concerning. They are bypassing authority of our federal medicaid partners by cutting rates before getting approval, pushing through changes before getting in rules and regs at Medical services board and forcing their contracted case management agency to implement these things. The use of memos to create operational change is not how it should work

Seems that HCPF and the Governor think that the processes and procedures set up to protect our medicaid members don't apply to them. Honestly, there are some parallels between antics at federal level with a different party and what we are seeing in Colorado with the Governor and his appointed department directors (for HCPF it is Kim Bimestefer).

WE MUST GET INVOLVED!! YES, THIS MEANS YOU!! There are some good wins below, and if you are needing to catch up, use the summary button that is an overview of Jan 15 memo drop.

A Win: Rule making body for HCPF Medical Services Board refuses to pass IRSS family caregiver change as "Emergency rule" 1/9/26

What: Our state medicaid department HCPF claimed it was an emergency to pass the rule that will change the IRSS billing code. This was part of the department's process to change the billing to reduce pay/target family caregivers. The MSB members and people who courageously testified all pointed out why it was not an emergency!
​

Badass Reaction: This is really a sign of the department misuse of process and procedures they are supposed to follow. HCPF plans on steamrolling through the department and Governors agenda. The point of the Medical Services Board is to properly put legislative change into rule and ensure that proper impact studies and procedure has occured.

I see this refusal to do whatever HCPF wants as a red flag to us. We have to see it and get involved. Call them out for thinking the rules don't apply to them because of an executive order and budget crisis.

A Win: HCPF withdraws cuts to movement therapy entirely

What:​
PRECEDENT- on January 2, 2026 HCPF announced

As reflected in Supplemental/Budget Amendment-07, HCPF is requesting the withdrawal of the proposed rate reduction for Movement Therapy, including Music Therapy. At this time, we do not believe a rate reduction is justified or appropriate given the professional standards and service needs associated with these therapies.

Badass Reaction: This is a huge precedent and sign to us that WE THE PEOPLE can impact and reverse proposals. Keep this in mind when you are discouraged. And participate, lots of options for public comment, including written comment, to help reverse or mitigate cuts to medicaid.

Always remember to give ideas of where ELSE they can save money!! Like some across the board executive branch cuts, case management rates, what are your ideas?

​

Today Joint Budget Committee meeting- Tuesday 1/20 1:30-5p

ACTION OPPORTUNITY TODAY 1/20/26 1:30-5 continued JBC hearing tune in with audio button live or to listen later

What:​
This is where the budget long bill is made for the entire legislature to vote on. You need to send them emails, share impacts this will have on you or your disabled loved one.

Review: ​
They met on Jan 5 and ran out of time and are returning today Jan 20. The audio button below will take you to both live events and past recordings. Also below is a button to the documents that JBC uses and are great to read, they include the presentation slide deck and more. For live listening, docs appear when the live audio begins and older docs are organized by date. :

Badass Reaction: You, NOW is the time for you engage JBC

The legislators are not buying the department "line". They need to hear from you. And you can email more than once!!

Share your story, do a now and after if cuts pass scenario with numbers Also make.suggestions of ways to cut the state budget elsewhere to minimize impact on one group.

This Committee creates the budget bill, they do not have to follow the governors proposed budget. The budget “long bill” is created by JBC now thru March when it goes to the floor for debate and vote. The state budget created now will run July 1, 2026 through June 30,2027.

​

It is super important that you express empathy with their impossible situation as legislators while offering your stories and suggestions for other cost savings. Keep it short, lots of whites space Include a picture!

Here are the addresses to paste their addresses into your email (add your legislators too!)

judy.amabile.senate@coleg.gov, kyle.brown.house@coleg.gov, jeff.bridges.senate@coleg.gov, rick.taggart.house@coleg.gov, barbara.kirkmeyer.senate@coleg.gov, emily.sirota.house@coleg.gov

​

HCPF Meeting about changes 1/21 & 1/22

What:​
​HCPF Information meeting about proposed changes on Wed 1/21 & Thurs 1/22

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) will host two informational one-hour webinars to share updates on the Medicaid Sustainability Initiatives and their impact on providers. These sessions will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 @ 11 am, and Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 2:30 pm. Button below for registration

​

Badass Reaction: This meeting will explain the "how to" if HCPF is successful with their steamrolling. This is critical for you to know for your own Medicaid benefits. You need to know the info and be self reliant, hear it from the source at the state.

Public comment Joint Health Committee 1/28 9:45ish then stay for the day for HCPF at JBC

What:​
Join me for a bit or the whole day!! I will be there.

The Joint Health Committee (both chambers committees in one place, a great opportunity) meets with JBC members upon adjournment of floor work 9:45a ish- Inside Capitol- room 271 off elevators, or online. This is standard at start of session.

Button below to sign up to testify in person, remotely or submit written comment.

After this meeting, the JBC crosses street to their building Legislative Service Building 200 East 14th Avenue for some HCPF grilling on their proposed budget.

Button below to join audio live or listen to recording later

Badass Reaction: Rare time to speak on anything HCPF related. Sign up soon. This afternoon session is important as the committee has to start really getting serious about what and how to cut.

​

What else can you do now to feel more empowered and informed?

• Badass Reaction: We are stronger together and can impact the decision makers. Join Today for Action steps!
• Breathe, plan, advocate, breathe again, plan some more, and keep breathing.
• Then take action. To learn more, JOIN THE FREE ONLINE COMMUNITY FOR ADVOCACY ACTION. Button below.

​

Learn about Roadmap Program Feb 4 @7p Free virtual info session

Wednesday February 4, 2026 at 7p

You can NO LONGER AFFORD to put off getting or learning more about how to maximize a Colorado Medicaid waiver!

Ready to take control of your disability journey?

Let Maureen and NDC be your guide. Come for a free info session to learn more.

​