Gillen: Hurd on Medicaid

From The Aspen Times’ March 15 article (“As Congress flirts with Medicaid cuts and Colorado’s budget crisis worsens, Western Slope health care providers brace for impact”):

“A budget resolution approved by U.S. House Republicans directs the committee that oversees Medicaid to identify at least $880 billion in cuts over the next 10 years. That would be impossible without a steep reduction in Medicaid funding, according to a March 5 analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.”

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. It provides free or low-cost medical benefits to low-income adults, children, pregnant women, people age 65 or over, and people with disabilities. More than a quarter of the people in Hurd’s district (CO-03) are enrolled in Medicaid. 

Jeff Hurd, the Western Slope’s representative in Congress, voted in favor of these cuts.

Yet, from the same aforementioned article: “A spokesperson for Rep. Jeff Hurd, a Republican representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, said the House member does not support cuts to service.”

Western Slope congressional representative Jeff Hurd voted to cut Medicaid funding but does not support cuts to service.

Matthew Gillen

Glenwood Springs