WICS Live: Around the States

Colorado: Last Fiscal Year Saw Record Medicaid Enrollment. As of June 30th, nearly 500, 000 Coloradans were enrolled in the program, the highest amount in the program’s 40 year history. The number is 14% higher than the same month last year and 11% higher the total enrollment over the previous fiscal year. This figure means approximately 10% of state residents are currently enrolled in Medicaid. There was also record enrollment in the state’s CHIP. The increase in Medicaid enrollment comes at the same time the state must fill budget gaps. Despite Federal stimulus funding, the state has had to cut reimbursement rates to providers and with another $1 billion budget gap looming over the next two years, more program cuts are to be expected.