Child health advocacy update Zach Zaslow & Ellen Stern Government Affairs Reach Out and Read April 10, 2017

Status of Federal Health Reform and What’s At Stake for Kids The American Health Care Act Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated $880 billion in federal cuts to Medicaid over 10 years and 24 million people would lose insurance coverage. 42% of Colorado kids rely on Medicaid. Nationally, kids account for nearly half of Medicaid enrollees but make up less than 20 percent of the cost to the program.

Hospital Provider Fee and the Impact on Primary Care Implemented Medicaid eligibility for adults up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Implemented Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) eligibility for children and pregnant women up to 250% FPL. Implemented Medicaid Buy-In Programs for people with disabilities. Implemented 12-month continuous eligibility for children enrolled in Medicaid.

Senate Bill 267: Hospital Provider Fee Solution The current budget proposes to cuts hospitals by $528 million this year, effectively reducing access to healthcare in rural areas due to likely hospital closures. Without raising taxes, Senate Bill 267 would save rural hospitals, allocate specific transportation funds for rural Colorado, and support K-12 education programs in rural areas of the state.

State Priorities: Kids’ Health Policy House Bill 1306: Lead testing in schools Senate Bill 68: Expand school health professionals Senate Bill 254: Long Bill (state budget) $3.2M to support enhanced rates for certain primary care codes $9.7M in marijuana tax revenue for school health professionals $3.2M to support the Colorado Immunization Information System $745K to ensure continued funding for the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey $420K to support Healthy Steps, a home visiting program

Advocacy Opportunities Sign up for the Child Health Champions Network Take action by writing and calling your member of Congress or state lawmakers Attend town hall meetings Write letters to the editor Testify in state legislative committee hearings Join professional and local groups that support advocacy efforts

CONTACT: Zach.Zaslow@childrenscolorado.org Ellen.Stern@childrenscolorado.org