Medicaid’s Impact on Southwest Colorado Healthcare: 5 Surprising Facts
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation broadly defines a “culture of health” as a society where good health and well-being flourish across all sectors, ensuring everyone has access to affordable quality care and the opportunity to make healthy choices. Medicaid plays a crucial role in Southwest Colorado in our work to create a “culture of health,” providing health coverage for many of our neighbors, friends, and families. This joint federal and state program supports low-income adults, children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities, making healthcare more accessible to those who need it most.
Yet, despite its importance, Medicaid doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Its scale and complexity can make it seem daunting, even distant. But here in Colorado, Medicaid touches the lives of more than one million people, and its impact on the health and vitality of our communities cannot be overstated. Understanding Medicaid can help us appreciate its role in improving lives and supporting the entire healthcare system we all rely on.
In the greater southwest Colorado region that Axis covers currently over 40,000 residents depend on Medicaid for their healthcare, including farmers, ranchers, and small business owners.
These are our neighbors and coworkers—hardworking individuals and families who rely on this critical program to stay healthy and contribute to our community.
Who does Medicaid cover?
Medicaid covers over 40% of Axis Health System’s total budget and enables us to deliver comprehensive care in our communities, including but not limited to the region’s most vulnerable populations. Axis serves 17,000+ patients annually in primary care, oral health, behavioral health, crisis specialty care, community programs, and patient support. Here are 5 things you may or may not know about Medicaid:
1. Medicaid Covers One in Five People
One out of every five Americans—21% of the population—is insured through Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). For reference, if you’ve been to the grocery store recently, statistically speaking, every fifth shopper you walked past likely benefits from this program.
2. Medicaid Ensures Healthy Beginnings for Children and Families
Medicaid currently covers 41% of all births in the United States, which is significant. The picture is similar, though slightly lower, in Colorado, where Medicaid supports 36% of all births. This coverage ensures that expectant mothers have access to prenatal care, a key factor in reducing pregnancy complications and improving outcomes for both mom and baby.
3. Medicaid Is Essential for Seniors and Those with Disabilities
More than half of Medicaid dollars spent nationwide go toward services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. These funds cover long-term care options not supported by Medicare or other private insurance plans, including skilled nursing, home health assistance, and personal care services for aging adults and individuals with disabilities.
4. Medicaid Leads the Way in Mental Health and Substance Use Care
Mental health services are critical in today’s healthcare landscape, and Medicaid is the single largest funder of mental health care in the nation. From therapy and counseling to substance use treatment and medication management, Medicaid enables millions to access essential behavioral health services.
5. Medicaid Strengthens Communities and Local Economies
Medicaid’s reach goes beyond individual patients; its ripple effect benefits the entire community and healthcare system. By reducing uncompensated care burdens on hospitals and clinics, Medicaid saves costs that would otherwise increase premiums and medical bills for everyone and helps support the care and clinics that currently exist.
Why This Matters for Southwest Colorado
Medicaid isn’t just a safety net; it’s a foundation for many in our state, ensuring health and well-being from childhood to senior years. Its impact is deeply felt by families, healthcare providers, and entire communities across this region. Understanding Medicaid’s role can help us advocate for continued improvements, ensuring that everyone in Southwest Colorado gets the care they need when they need it.
Medicaid is an important resource under threat that has significant cascading impacts to the health and viability of the entire healthcare system of care, particularly in rural Colorado. Medicaid is an important element of the long-term work of building a “culture of health” in our communities.