Medicaid is a joint state and federal health-care program for the poor. In Colorado, we are responsible for crafting our own program, independent from other states. As Medicaid consumes around 20% of our general fund expenses (and is growing rapidly), any approach to limit government spending will require us to reform our Medicaid program.
First, we need to request a waiver from many of the string attached to federal funding that will allow us to implement the needed changes.
Next, we need to follow the lead of states like Rhode Island, and implement market-based solutions such as allowing private companies to bid to provide service to the state. This will improve overall care and reduce the costs–freeing up more money for important investments in the future, such as education and infrastructure.
Read more about Medicaid reform from the Common Sense Policy Roundtable.
