Navigating the H.R.I Medicaid Changes

On July 4, 2025 the House Reconciliation bill (H.R.1), sometimes known as the “H.R.1. One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” was signed into law. This page provides information on the federally mandated changes to Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid program, and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). Together, these programs cover 1.3 million Coloradans or about 20% of the state’s population.

The new Medicaid provisions take effect over the next several years, impacting eligibility criteria, the administration of our programs, and our state budget - generating downstream impacts to program benefits, coverage policies, and provider reimbursements. Colorado in particular will face exacerbated fiscal challenges because our state constitution includes balanced budget requirements and Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which limits tax revenues available to cover program expenses.

H.R.1 will bring significant changes to Medicaid in Colorado, including:

• Rewriting major eligibility, financing, and compliance rules over the next 2-8 years that will impact Coloradans’ ability to gain and retain Medicaid coverage; and
• Reducing Medicaid and individual marketplace exchange enrollments, and increasing uninsured rates.

This panel presentation will explore the impact of H.R.1 on Colorado Medicaid providers and recipients. It will help you to navigate the changes with your clients.

Panelists

• Adela Flores-Brennan – Medicaid Director, CO Dept of Health Care Policy and Financing
• Isabel Cruz – Policy Director, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
• Julie Reisken - Co-Executive Director, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
• Katie Wallat, Esq. - Legal Director, Colorado Center on Law and Policy