Funding Changes Threaten Rural Health Care in Colorado

Federal and state health care funding changes are expected to significantly impact rural providers in Colorado, including Mountain Family Health Centers and Vail Health. With the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits set to expire at the end of this year, and stricter Medicaid eligibility requirements beginning in 2027, providers anticipate a sharp increase in uninsured patients.

“I think that the biggest risk for patients in this moment is not necessarily the care … but the coverage options that will be available,” said Dustin Moyer, CEO of Mountain Family Health Centers. “In this country, the ability to access coverage is so often tied to the ability to access care, that I think there’s a distinction there, but it might be a distinction without a difference.”

Despite these challenges, both health systems are committed to maintaining care access. Mountain Family Health Centers is leaning on community partnerships and philanthropy, while Vail Health is optimizing its financial assistance programs. Leaders from both organizations stress the importance of adapting to policy changes while continuing to serve vulnerable populations in rural Colorado.

“Part of our mission is we take care of people, and when someone doesn’t have insurance, we work with them through our financial assistance plans and, ultimately, that delta is something that we absorb in our charity care. It’s a challenge, but that’s why we’re here,” said Nico Brown, Vail Health’s chief strategy officer. Vail Health is “really fortunate to be in a strong financial position, with an A- S&P bond rating and solid reserves.” But the system is “not immune to these pressures.”

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