Colorado’s Most Medicaid-Dependent Districts Face Potential Cuts—And Their Republican Reps Are Silent
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COLORADO, USA — The future of healthcare access in Colorado is on the line as the U.S. House moves forward with a Trump-backed budget resolution that could lead to deep cuts in Medicaid. Ironically, the two congressional districts that could suffer the most from these reductions are represented by Republicans who have yet to take a public stance—Gabe Evans and Jeff Hurd.
The budget resolution, passed narrowly on Tuesday, promises an ambitious $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. However, critics—including both Democrats and some concerned Republicans—warn that the financial relief for some could come at the cost of essential social services, particularly Medicaid.
For thousands of Coloradans, Medicaid is a lifeline, covering doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and critical treatments. According to the Congressional District Health Dashboard by NYU Langone Health, nearly 30% of Hurd’s constituents on the Western Slope and in Southern Colorado rely on Medicaid—the highest percentage in the state. Meanwhile, Evans’ district, spanning Denver’s northern suburbs to Weld County, has 25% of its population enrolled in Medicaid, marking the second-highest dependency in Colorado.
Despite these staggering numbers, neither Evans nor Hurd have publicly addressed how these potential cuts could impact their constituents.
The Human Cost of Medicaid Cuts
Healthcare advocates and local organizations warn that slashing Medicaid funding will have devastating consequences, particularly for rural, working-class, and Hispanic communities.
Tepeyac Community Health Center, a Denver-based nonprofit that provides medical services to underserved populations, issued a statement to 9NEWS emphasizing the long-term economic and social repercussions of Medicaid cuts:
“More patients would be forced to seek care in emergency rooms, increasing uncompensated hospital costs and straining the healthcare system. Investing in community health centers saves money by keeping people healthier and reducing expensive emergency care.”
GOP Hispanic Conference Raises Concerns—But Evans Remains Quiet
While Evans is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Conference, which recently expressed opposition to Medicaid cuts, he notably did not sign a letter from the group urging House Speaker Mike Johnston to protect the program. The letter warned that, “Slashing Medicaid would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities.”
On Monday, as protesters gathered outside Evans’ office demanding he take action to protect Medicaid, he instead shared a social media post highlighting his visit to Tepeyac Community Health Center, praising their “critical work with underserved communities.” However, many pointed out that without Medicaid funding, facilities like Tepeyac would struggle to continue providing care.
What’s Next for Colorado’s Healthcare System?
If Medicaid cuts move forward, hospitals, clinics, and local health centers across Colorado could see reduced funding, leading to longer wait times, fewer services, and increased medical costs for low-income families.
Healthcare advocates urge Colorado voters to contact their representatives and demand clarity on where they stand regarding Medicaid cuts. With the state’s most vulnerable populations at risk, the pressure is mounting for Evans and Hurd to break their silence.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
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