DENVER — Colorado officials warn that as many as 110,000 residents could lose their health insurance under the new Trump-backed bill, which includes drastic cuts to federal tax credits and reshapes eligibility for government health programs.
Why It Matters
The potential loss of coverage doesn’t just affect those who drop their plans. It could trigger higher premiums for everyone else — including those with employer-provided coverage — as fewer people in the insurance pool often leads to rising costs across the board.
By the Numbers
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321,000 Coloradans currently use the state’s health exchange, Connect for Health Colorado
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$105 million in federal subsidies could be cut
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28% average premium hike requested by insurers for 2026
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For subsidized plans, premiums could spike by a staggering 104%
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An additional 377,000 residents are expected to lose Medicaid due to tightened work requirements and new eligibility rules
What’s Changing
The Republican-crafted H.R. 1 bill will:
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Raise the maximum out-of-pocket costs
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Shorten the open enrollment period
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Deny coverage to those in the DACA program
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Slash 80% of funding for the OmniSalud initiative, which covers 12,000 undocumented Coloradans
What Officials Are Saying
“This is going to reverberate through our entire health care ecosystem,” said Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. “It’s going to be an incredible challenge for us moving forward unless we take steps to stop it.”
House Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon) added, “I’m heart-sick about the skyrocketing costs of health insurance. Now is the moment for us to be creative, imaginative — to think outside the box and start over.”
GOP’s Response
Republican lawmakers back the bill, blaming Democrats for excessive government spending.
House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese (R-Colorado Springs) said, “Republicans are focused on restoring fiscal responsibility and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent effectively for the families, seniors, and workers who depend on them.”
What’s Next
The Colorado Legislature is expected to take up the issue in a special session later this month or during the next regular legislative term. With thousands at risk of losing coverage, the pressure is on for state leaders to craft state-level solutions.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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