Supporting and Facilitating Healthcare Coverage Transitions

Protecting People During the Transition from Obamacare

The Affordable Care Act (ACA—often called “Obamacare”) isn’t just a policy debate to me—it’s real coverage for real families. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 changed major parts of Medicaid and the ACA marketplace, and other related rules are tightening enrollment and eligibility in the years ahead.

I support reform that restores choice, strengthens program integrity, and respects taxpayers—but I will not accept a transition that leaves people confused, uninsured, or unable to access care because of paperwork, shortened deadlines, or bureaucracy. Analysts and public-health groups estimate these combined changes could increase the uninsured by the millions if implementation is sloppy or families aren’t guided through it.

A “No One Falls Through the Cracks” Transition Plan

1) Clear, plain-English guidance—before deadlines hit

Colorado families deserve direct communication about what’s changing: subsidy rules, enrollment windows, documentation requirements, and renewal steps. Some changes include tighter eligibility verification, reduced special enrollment pathways, and significant affordability impacts if enhanced premium tax credits are not extended.

2) Protect continuity of care while people re-qualify

If someone is moving between Medicaid, marketplace plans, employer coverage, or other options, the goal should be no gaps in essential care, especially for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and rural Coloradans. (The law and related rules also include new restrictions and lock-outs that can make transitions harder—those should be closely monitored and fixed where necessary.)

3) Transition assistance that’s local, not bureaucratic

As Senator, I will push for Colorado to have strong “navigator-style” help—phone, online, and community-based—so working families don’t lose coverage because they missed one form, one deadline, or one verification step.

4) Work requirements must come with real support, not traps

When policies tie coverage to work/engagement rules, they should be implemented with common-sense guardrails: clear exemptions for the truly vulnerable, simple reporting, and rapid re-entry pathways. If the system becomes a paperwork machine that punishes law-abiding people trying to do the right thing, that’s not reform—that’s dysfunction.

5) Make affordability tools actually usable

The “Big Beautiful Bill” also includes expansions and guidance around Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—a tool that can help families keep more control over routine health spending and build a cushion for the unexpected. I’ll fight to make these options accessible and understandable—especially for the self-employed and small business owners.

6) Rural Colorado: use the new federal rural-health funding strategically

The law created a Rural Health Transformation Program—$50 billion over five years starting in FY2026—to strengthen rural access, workforce, innovation, and technology. Colorado should use that funding to expand care access in the places that always get ignored.

Navigating the healthcare system can be a daunting task, especially for families. Amanda Calderon’s journey through healthcare highlights the challenges and triumphs many families face. Her experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of support, understanding, and advocacy in healthcare.

Protecting People During the Transition from Obamacare

The Affordable Care Act (ACA—often called “Obamacare”) isn’t just a policy debate to me—it’s real coverage for real families. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 changed major parts of Medicaid and the ACA marketplace, and other related rules are tightening enrollment and eligibility in the years ahead.

I support reform that restores choice, strengthens program integrity, and respects taxpayers—but I will not accept a transition that leaves people confused, uninsured, or unable to access care because of paperwork, shortened deadlines, or bureaucracy. Analysts and public-health groups estimate these combined changes could increase the uninsured by the millions if implementation is sloppy or families aren’t guided through it.

My “No One Falls Through the Cracks” Transition Plan

1) Clear, plain-English guidance—before deadlines hitColorado families deserve direct communication about what’s changing: subsidy rules, enrollment windows, documentation requirements, and renewal steps. Some changes include tighter eligibility verification, reduced special enrollment pathways, and significant affordability impacts if enhanced premium tax credits are not extended.

2) Protect continuity of care while people re-qualifyIf someone is moving between Medicaid, marketplace plans, employer coverage, or other options, the goal should be no gaps in essential care, especially for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and rural Coloradans. (The law and related rules also include new restrictions and lock-outs that can make transitions harder—those should be closely monitored and fixed where necessary.)

3) Transition assistance that’s local, not bureaucraticAs Senator, I will push for Colorado to have strong “navigator-style” help—phone, online, and community-based—so working families don’t lose coverage because they missed one form, one deadline, or one verification step.

4) Work requirements must come with real support, not trapsWhen policies tie coverage to work/engagement rules, they should be implemented with common-sense guardrails: clear exemptions for the truly vulnerable, simple reporting, and rapid re-entry pathways. If the system becomes a paperwork machine that punishes law-abiding people trying to do the right thing, that’s not reform—that’s dysfunction.

5) Make affordability tools actually usableThe “Big Beautiful Bill” also includes expansions and guidance around Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—a tool that can help families keep more control over routine health spending and build a cushion for the unexpected. I’ll fight to make these options accessible and understandable—especially for the self-employed and small business owners.

6) Rural Colorado: use the new federal rural-health funding strategicallyThe law created a Rural Health Transformation Program—$50 billion over five years starting in FY2026—to strengthen rural access, workforce, innovation, and technology. Colorado should use that funding to expand care access in the places that always get ignored.

A family sharing their healthcare experiences in a supportive environment.