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Senate Appropriations

Wednesday, February 18, 2026·57m·▶ Watch / Listen

Key Actions

·SB 26-005 – Risk Management Fund ReappropriationPassed

+ 14 more actions

Controversies

Medicaid access stabilization payments and rate adjustments in HB 1155

Four medical witnesses — Dr. Cassie Littler (American Academy of Pediatrics Colorado), Dr. Brigitte Robinson (Colorado Medical Society), Victoria Stewart (Aveanna Healthcare), and Kelly Logue (Colorado Association of Nurse Anesthetists) — testified in an amend position opposing elimination of access stabilization payments (S6.03) and rate adjustments (S6.23, S7J), citing prior reimbursement cuts, flat Medicare rates, rising practice costs, and rural service access risks. No committee members debated verbally; Kirkmeyer, Liston, and Pelton voted no while Gonzalez, Kolker, Vice Chair, and Chair voted aye.

Notable Quotes

“Medicare physician reimbursement has remained virtually flat for nearly a quarter century. During that same period, practice operating costs have risen nearly 60%, resulting in a 33% loss in real purchasing power. Since 2001. We're benchmarking against an already eroded baseline, taking 85% of a number that is itself below where it needs to be.”

Dr. Brigitte Robinson, president, Colorado Medical Society — Dr. Robinson testified in an amend position on HB 1155, opposing Medicaid rate adjustments in supplemental requests S6.23 and S7J that set rates relative to 85% of Medicare — arguing Medicare itself is already an inadequate benchmark.

+ 3 more quotes

Votes

Adoption of Amendment J001 to SB 26-005Passed
Yes (2)Gonzalez, Kolker
No (3)Kirkmeyer, Liston, Pelton B
Adoption of SB 26-005 as amendedPassed
Yes (4)Julie Gonzales, Chris Kolker, Jeff Bridges, Judy Amabile
No (3)Barbara Kirkmeyer, Larry Liston, Byron Pelton
Adoption of HB 1155Passed
Yes (4)Julie Gonzales, Chris Kolker, Jeff Bridges, Judy Amabile
No (3)Barbara Kirkmeyer, Larry Liston, Byron Pelton
Adoption of HB 1156Passed
Yes (4)Julie Gonzales, Chris Kolker, Jeff Bridges, Judy Amabile
No (3)Barbara Kirkmeyer, Larry Liston, Byron Pelton
Adoption of HB 1165Passed
Yes (4)Julie Gonzales, Chris Kolker, Jeff Bridges, Judy Amabile
No (3)Barbara Kirkmeyer, Larry Liston, Byron Pelton
Adoption of HB 1167Passed
Yes (6)Julie Gonzales, Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chris Kolker, Larry Liston, Jeff Bridges, Judy Amabile
No (1)Byron Pelton
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TranscriptPreview
Good morning. The Senate Committee on Appropriations will begin. Mr. Catlett, please call the roll. Senators Gonzalez. Good morning. Kirkmeyer. Good morning. Coker? Here. Liston. Here. PELTON B. Here. Mr. Vice Chair Gatlet. Madam Chair. Here. Okay, so we have a bunch of bills today for our very first committee. And. But we're going to start with the committee that we are not the committee of reference the bill that we're not the committee of reference for Senate Bill 26 005. And we have our sponsors here and. Senator Gonzalez, would you like to move the bill? Thank you, Madam Chair. I move Senate Bill 5 and J001. Are there any questions for the bill sponsors? Senator Kirkmeyer? So is the cash fund that's being cash funds that are being reappropriate from the Department of Personnel, are those actually general fund? Senator Gonzalez? They are continuously appropriated from the Risk Management cash fund, Senator Kirkmeyer? But didn't that originate as general fund? All right, doesn't eventually this become general fund, Senator Gonzalez? I don't know the answer to that question, Senator Weissman. Thank you, Senator Kirkmeyer. I think the site is 2430, 1501, if you want to check. I think…
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