Colorado Senate Democrats Pass Bills to Restore Medicaid Services for Planned Parenthood and Fund Food Assistance for Students and Families

Colorado Governor signs two bills into law to restore access to Medicaid services for Planned Parenthood patients and give voters the opportunity to fund food assistance for Colorado students and families. SB25B-002 authorizes state funding for Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers removed from the federal Medicaid program by H.R.1, restoring access to health care services for over 10,000 patients in Colorado. SB25B-003 modifies Proposition MM, giving Colorado voters the opportunity to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in addition to the Healthy School Meals for All program, which could raise up to $95 million per year by limiting state income tax deductions for households earning over $300,000.

Key Takeaways:

• SB25B-002, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges and Lindsey Daugherty, authorizes state funding for Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers removed from the federal Medicaid program by H.R.1, affecting over 10,000 patients in Colorado.
• H.R.1 immediately removed Planned Parenthood from the federal Medicaid program, forcing Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains providers to cancel thousands of appointments.
• SB25B-003, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Senator Katie Wallace, modifies Proposition MM to give Colorado voters the opportunity to fund SNAP in addition to the Healthy School Meals for All program.
• Governor Polis signed HB25-1274 in June, referring two ballot measures, Propositions LL and MM, to Colorado voters to determine whether or not to continue funding the Healthy School Meals for All program.
• Congressional Republicans made unprecedented cuts to SNAP with the passage of H.R. 1, slashing millions from the program that helps families put food on the table, affecting over 300,000 low-income Colorado families.

Statistics:

• Proposed funding for Healthy School Meals for All program: Up to $95 million per year
• Number of patients affected by H.R.1: Over 10,000
• Number of low-income Colorado families affected by SNAP cuts: Over 300,000
• Households earning over $300,000 affected by limit on state income tax deductions: Over 300,000
• Number of appointments canceled by Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains providers: Thousands

Sources:

• Senate Democrats press release
• House Bill 25-1274
• H.R. 1