Colorado Children's Campaign Reports Widespread Pediatric Care Shortages
A new report from the Colorado Children's Campaign finds seven in ten Colorado children live in communities lacking enough pediatric primary care providers to meet estimated demand, with rural areas like the Eastern Plains hit hardest. The report, using 2024 state health department data, links the shortage to lower pediatrician pay and thin Medicaid reimbursement: Colorado spends an average of $2,883 annually per child enrolled in Medicaid, compared to $3,200 to $4,000 in neighboring states. More than 600,000 Colorado children rely on Medicaid or CHP+ for coverage. The findings arrive as state lawmakers face another tight budget year; in March, budget writers recommended eliminating planned stabilization payments for roughly 271 small, pediatric and rural primary care providers, raising concern among advocates that further Medicaid cuts could worsen access gaps.