Democrats Focus on Affordability, Address Key Issues Amid Federal Pressures and Budget Crisis In the 2026 legislative session, Colorado Democrats prioritized making the state more affordable, protecting essential services like K-12 education and Medicaid, and tackling complex challenges such as a billion-dollar budget deficit and federal overreach. Lawmakers navigated a difficult fiscal environment marked by global instability, rising political violence, and a generational drought, while working to balance competing priorities and ensure long-term resilience. Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, highlighted the session’s focus on affordability and critical reforms, stating, “We worked hard to create jobs, lower the costs of housing, child care, healthcare and utilities, and protect our public lands, air and water. Lawmakers navigated a difficult budget to increase funding for K-12 education and prevent devastating cuts to core healthcare coverage.” The session also saw bipartisan efforts to reform competency laws, which had drawn public safety concerns, with lawmakers collaborating with district attorneys, public defenders, and civil liberties advocates to address gaps in the system. Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, emphasized the state’s commitment to economic opportunity despite national challenges, noting, “I’m proud of all that we accomplished to keep our state on a path to a resilient future and ensure that no matter your income or zip code, you have the opportunity to earn a good life in Colorado.” The legislature passed measures to expand workforce opportunities, modernize the school finance formula, and secure protections for critical streams and wetlands.#medicaid #speaker_julie_mccluskie #senate_president_james_coleman #house_majority_leader_monica_duran #k_12_education
Montana halts doula funding amid budget shortfall, Medicaid cut fears Montana has suspended a planned initiative to reimburse doulas who provide support to birthing mothers in underserved maternity care regions, according to a report by KFF Health News. The program, which had been a key focus for state officials, was paused due to financial constraints and concerns over potential reductions in federal Medicaid funding. The decision reflects broader challenges in balancing healthcare access with fiscal responsibility amid shrinking state budgets. The initiative aimed to address disparities in maternal care by ensuring that women in rural or low-resource areas had access to trained doulas, who offer emotional and physical support during childbirth. Advocacy groups had praised the program as a critical step toward improving outcomes for mothers and infants in regions with limited medical infrastructure. However, state leaders cited the need to prioritize essential services amid a projected budget deficit, which has forced difficult choices about resource allocation. Federal Medicaid funding has also been a point of contention. Officials warned that proposed cuts to the program could further strain state budgets, particularly in sectors like healthcare. While the exact impact of these potential reductions remains unclear, the decision to halt the doula funding plan underscores the tension between expanding access to care and managing financial limitations. The move has drawn criticism from healthcare advocates, who argue that cutting support for maternal care could exacerbate existing inequities. They emphasize that rural communities often lack adequate medical facilities and trained personnel, making programs like the doula initiative vital for reducing complications during childbirth.#montana #medicaid #kff_health_news #doulas #maternal_health
Dr. Oz: ‘The current system will not work’ Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, warned at the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition that the healthcare system requires a complete overhaul. Speaking during a panel discussion, Oz emphasized that technology must be leveraged to reduce costs and improve care, calling for a shift from reactive to proactive health management. Oz highlighted that while other industries have successfully used technology to lower costs for consumers, healthcare has lagged. He pointed to rising expenses in the sector, noting that hospital costs are increasing at twice the rate of inflation due to staffing challenges and outdated technology. “We use technology at the end of the care cascade,” he explained, referring to its limited role in preventing costly emergencies. For example, hospitals rely on advanced imaging and emergency care for critical cases, but Oz argued that preventive tools like remote patient monitoring could address health issues before they escalate. He cited a specific example: a heart attack patient who could be treated at home with a medication like Lasix, which helps eliminate excess fluid. “If you can get that drug at home, the patient doesn’t need to come to the hospital,” Oz said. He framed this as a way to avoid the financial and human toll of emergency care, stating, “The whole thing works better for us.” Oz also stressed the potential of AI to transform Medicare. He proposed integrating AI agents to guide beneficiaries in selecting healthcare plans, managing chronic conditions, and accessing services. While acknowledging public skepticism about AI, he urged healthcare leaders to demonstrate its value.#dr_mehmet_oz #centers_for_medicare_medicaid_services #himss_global_health_conference_exhibition #rural_health_transformation_program #medicaid
