The Colorado Rural Health Center
Opposes Medicaid Cuts!
The LatestMedicaid Rates in Rural ColoradoWhy it MattersMembers are Speaking OutAct NOW!
One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Rural Health Transformation Program Information
Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)
Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Summary Background: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted into law on July 4, 2025, created a $50 billion fund, called the Rural Health Transformation Program, in an attempt to offset losses that rural health providers will experience associated with other health provisions in the legislation.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted into law on July 4, 2025, promises to reshape rural healthcare moving forward. Stay abreast on the latest updates.
Rural Colorado Sees Higher Rates of Medicaid Patients
Medicaid makes up a significant portion of most rural Colorado healthcare facilities’ payer mixes statewide. Additionally, Medicaid/CHP+ covers 30% of Colorado’s urban population but nearly 35% of rural residents! Protecting Medicaid protects rural Colorado. The proposed cuts, rollbacks in eligibility, and changes in reimbursement threaten to weaken this critical support system, and leave children, older adults, and rural populations even more vulnerable.
This page aims to serve as a clearinghouse for rural Medicaid resources and as a place to engage, advocate, and partner with CRHC and other rural allies in the push to protect rural healthcare by protecting Medicaid!
Scroll down through the document below and click on counties to view the percentage of residents on Medicaid and the percentage of those under 20 covered by Medicaid.
Why it Matters
Medicaid protects some of the most vulnerable members of rural society
The following resources were carefully crafted by CRHC partners, governmental organizations, and CRHC members to lay out the devastating impacts of enacting the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
- Estimated Impact on Medicaid Enrollment and Hospital Expenditures in Rural Communities
- Federal Medicaid funding changes will have devastating impacts
- Estimates for Medicaid Policy Options and State Responses
- Medicaid Cuts Hurt Colorado’s Economy and Trigger Job Losses in Your Legislative Districts
- Medicaid Fact Sheet – Work Requirements
- One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA): Impact of the Rural Health Transformation Fund
- Estimated Impact on Medicaid Enrollment and Hospital Expenditures in Rural Communities
- Trump bill’s Medicaid provision that’s now in limbo could cost Colorado $10 billion
Cutting Medicaid puts rural hospitals at risk of closure!
Since 2010, 188 rural hospitals have closed or ceased inpatient services nationally. Colorado has had zero hospital closures, but given the disproportionately high rate of Medicaid coverage amongst rural patients, any cuts to the program will leave hospitals more vulnerable to closure and put rural communities at greater risk.
CRHC Members are Speaking Out!
Medicaid Cuts in the News and From the Voices of CRHC Members!
In the News
- Kevin Stansbury: Opinion | What Medicaid Cuts Would Do to My Rural Hospital
- Federal Medicaid cuts threaten Colorado’s rural health infrastructure | OPINION
- In this rural Colorado valley, cuts to Medicaid would have vast ripple effects
- Looming cuts to Medicaid would shake entire San Luis Valley health care system — and its economy
- Medicaid cuts in Trump tax bill could close 6 rural hospitals in Colorado, report warns
- Colorado leaders, hospitals paint bleak picture of Medicaid cuts if GOP bill becomes law
- A key rural hospital in La Junta is laying people off with deep federal Medicaid cuts looming
