Bill to Restore Access to Medicaid Services for Planned Parenthood Patients Passes Senate Committee

SB25B-002 would restore access to health care for over 10,000 Medicaid recipients at Planned Parenthood

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, and Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, to authorize state funding for Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers removed from the federal Medicaid program by H.R.1 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today. 

“Republicans in Congress want you to believe their budget puts working-class Americans first, but the exact opposite is true – this budget is the largest cut to Medicaid in American history,” Bridges said. “Thousands of Coloradans on Medicaid who rely on Planned Parenthood had to scramble to find different providers or went without care altogether after H.R.1 passed. This legislation would restore access to that care and peace of mind to patients across our state.”

“Time and time again, and most recently last November, Colorado voters have overwhelmingly said they will support and defend their right to reproductive health care,” Daugherty said. “Amidst a hostile national landscape, this legislation is yet another step we must take to protect Coloradans’ right to safe, accessible and affordable reproductive health care.” 

SB25B-002 would authorize the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to use state funds to pay claims to organizations like Planned Parenthood, who were barred from federal Medicaid funding by Congressional Republicans’ H.R.1, for certain services including cancer screenings, birth control consultations, and STI testing. In the event that federal action renders these entities eligible for reimbursements again, the bill would no longer be in effect.

H.R.1 immediately removed Planned Parenthood from the federal Medicaid program, forcing Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains providers to cancel thousands of appointments. Weeks later, a Temporary Restraining Order reversed this federal prohibition, though the issue is still working its way through the courts. 

SB25B-002 now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.

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