This story was originally published in the Colorado Times Recorder.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump’s proposed budget bill on May 21, his so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Critics say the bill will slash Medicaid, impact Coloradans’ health insurance, and cut food assistance to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.
“It is [Trump’s] priorities, and we can’t be deterred by smaller things,” said U.S. Rep Jeff Crank (R-CO) during a May 20 appearance on the KVOR’s Richard Randall show. “This bill does such great, great things on energy, on the border, it funds more border patrol agents. It adds $150 billion to national defense. It extends the Trump tax cuts, makes them permanent. If we don’t pass this bill, it’s a four and a half trillion dollar tax increase on the American people.”
Colorado’s federal delegation voted along party lines on the measure, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats opposed.
“Over the last few months, I’ve heard from countless Coloradans who are terrified of what this budget means for their families,” said Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) in a news release. “This bill means kids will go hungry, thousands of people will die without access to health care, and the progress we’ve made in fighting the opioid crisis will be erased. Hospitals and nursing homes will shutter, and the health care costs for all of us will skyrocket. All to give the wealthiest people in the history of the world more tax giveaways on the backs of the rest of us.”
Colorado Sen. J e ff Bridges (D-Arapahoe County), chair of Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee, warned that the bill will exacerbate Colorado’s budget woes, which this year led to major cuts to statewide spending.
They need to pay for their tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy somehow. – Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
“Here in Colorado, we know what it’s like to make difficult decisions to balance our state budget,” he said in a news release. “Every year, the Joint Budget Committee does so carefully, thoughtfully, and with the best interests of Colorado families in mind. While we budget with a scalpel, Congressional Republicans are using a chainsaw. This budget is irresponsible and reckless, and it will hurt Coloradans. Smart investments yield strong returns, and every dollar we invest in health care, education, and families pays dividends in a healthier, more productive workforce and a stronger economy. Slashing essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP will hurt families today, and jeopardize our state’s long-term stability and opportunity.”
During a May 20 appearance on Ryan Schuiling Live, Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) pushed back on claims the bill would cut Medicaid services. “Under the Republican plan, Medicaid spending actually goes up about 25% in the next 10 years,” he said. “We’re not cutting anything. We are making sure that the program is not having 1.4 million illegal immigrants – that’s the official number from the Congressional Budget Office – cutting in line and stealing American taxpayer health care dollars. We’re making sure that 1.2 million – again, another official number – ineligible people don’t get Medicaid benefits by taking common-sense measures to just clean up the Medicaid rolls. We’re asking able-bodied, working-aged adults with no kids to work or volunteer or go to school part-time if they’re going to receive taxpayer-funded health care.”
Critics note that the burden imposed by new work requirements, in addition to cuts, will have a negative impact on Coloradans.
“Given Colorado’s unique model of county-administered Medicaid enrollment and verification, implementation of work requirements like the one proposed in this bill would be even more challenging for Colorado than it would be for other states,” said Christina Walker, senior policy manager of Healthier Colorado, in a news release. “The administrative burden of work requirements will ultimately result in hundreds of thousands of Coloradans losing essential health benefits.”
The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) has already voiced opposition.
“A new CBO report shows the Republicans’ plans to gut Medicaid would leave millions of Americans without health insurance,” he said in a May 8 news release. “Why would they do this? They need to pay for their tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy somehow. It’s plain cruel, and we’re fighting it every step of the way.”
