Gabe Evans Voted For The Largest Medicaid Cut In History, Which Was Projected To Kick 53,000 People In Colorado With Substance-Abuse Disorder Off Their Healthcare

Evans Voted For The OBBB, Which Was Expected To Kick 53,000 People In Colorado With Substance Abuse Disorder Off Of Medicaid. “Evans’ biggest blow to Colorado’s efforts to combat substance abuse came in the form of his two votes for the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which cut $1 trillion from Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income people that’s funded with federal and state dollars. It was the largest cut in the program’s history and is expected to result in an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 Coloradans losing health insurance. Of those, an estimated 53,000 Medicaid enrollees in Colorado with ‘substance-use disorder could lose coverage and access to treatment’ under the OBBB, according to a report by the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank. Nationally, over 1.6 million people with this disorder could be dropped from Medicaid. In a commentary published by the Brookings Institution, Regina LaBelle, a professor at Georgetown University, and David R. Holtgrave, an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, reported last year that the Medicaid cuts for drug abuse treatment would have ‘devastating consequences.’” [Colorado Times Recorder, 4/16/26]

May 2025 And July 2025: Evans Voted Twice For The One Big Beautiful Bill

May 2025: Evans Voted For The House’s Version Of The One Big Beautiful Bill

May 2025: Evans Voted For H.R. 1, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In May 2025, Evans voted for: “Passage of the bill that would provide for approximately $3.8 trillion in net tax cuts and $321 billion in military, border enforcement and judiciary spending, offset by $1.5 trillion in spending reductions, as instructed in the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). It would raise the statutory debt limit by $4 trillion and provide for increased spending on defense and border security, spending cuts on social safety net programs, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It also includes a mix of tax breaks for businesses and individuals; tax increases on universities and foundations; and a phase-down of clean energy tax credits. It would reduce spending on Medicaid by $625 billion over a 10-year period and modify eligibility and cost provisions for enrollees and health providers and impose work, volunteer and education requirements on adults ages 19 to 64 who are covered by the program. It would appropriate “such sums as necessary” for reducing cost-sharing payments for low-income individuals who’ve purchased “silver” plans on the 2010 health care law’s exchanges. But payments to plans that cover abortions would be mostly barred. It would extend and make permanent individual tax brackets and rates included in the 2017 tax overhaul law (PL 115-97) and provide for the adjustment of the lower bounds of each tier based on inflation. It would reduce federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by requiring states to shoulder more of the cost, expand work requirements for SNAP, extend programs authorized under the 2018 farm bill, and prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture from increasing the cost of the Thrifty Food Program. As amended, it would cap state and local tax deductions at $40,000 for households with incomes below $500,000 and prohibit Medicaid funding for gender transition therapies or procedures for minors and adults, among other provisions.” The bill passed by a vote of 215-214. [H.R. 1, Vote #145, 5/22/25; CQ, 5/22/25]

July 2025: Evans Voted For Final Passage Of The Senate Version Of The One Big Beautiful Bill

July 2025: Evans Voted For H.R. 1, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In July 2025, Evans voted for: “Motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the bill that would permanently extend nearly $4 trillion in expiring individual and business tax cuts, create several new tax breaks and fund border and immigration enforcement and air traffic control upgrades. It would cut Medicaid and other safety net programs to partly offset the cost. Among other provisions, it would raise the statutory debt ceiling by $5 trillion and appropriate more than $448 billion in mandatory funding for Trump administration priorities and other needs, including $153 billion for defense, $89 billion for immigration enforcement, and $89.5 billion for border control and security. It also would increase the state and local tax deduction cap to $40,000 annually for five years for households making up to $500,000 a year until 2030, when it would permanently revert to $10,000.” The motion was agreed to by a vote of 218-214. [HR 1, Vote #190, 7/3/25; CQ, 7/3/25]

The One Big Beautiful Bill Cut Nearly $1 Trillion From Medicaid, Which Was The Largest Cut To Medicaid In American History

The Hill: With The One Big Beautiful Bill, Republicans Passed The Largest Cuts To Medicaid Since The Program Began In The 1960’s. “Senate Republicans on Tuesday passed the largest cuts to Medicaid since the program began in the 1960s, a move that would erode the social safety net and cause a spike in the number of uninsured Americans over the next decade. The tax and spending bill is projected to cost more than $3 trillion during that time, but it would be partially paid for with about $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid. Almost 12 million lower-income Americans would lose their health insurance by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).” [The Hill, 7/1/25]

• The Hill: Republicans Made About $1 Trillion In Cuts To Medicaid. “Senate Republicans on Tuesday passed the largest cuts to Medicaid since the program began in the 1960s, a move that would erode the social safety net and cause a spike in the number of uninsured Americans over the next decade. The tax and spending bill is projected to cost more than $3 trillion during that time, but it would be partially paid for with about $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid. Almost 12 million lower-income Americans would lose their health insurance by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).” [The Hill, 7/1/25]

The Hill: “Congress Passed The Largest Medicaid Cuts In The Program's 60-Year History Through The GOP’s Megabill Right Before The July 4 Holiday, A $1 Trillion Reduction Projected To Push More Than 12 Million Low-Income Individuals Off Their Health Insurance Over The Next Decade.” “Medicaid is set to become a key issue in the battle over control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections now that President Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ has passed. Congress passed the largest Medicaid cuts in the program’s 60-year history through the GOP’s megabill right before the July 4 holiday, a $1 trillion reduction projected to push more than 12 million low-income individuals off their health insurance over the next decade. Republicans argue the moves are necessary to address waste and fraud in the program, ensuring ‘able-bodied’ adults aren’t taking advantage of the system.” [The Hill, 7/7/25]

An Estimated 53,000 People In Colorado With Substance-Abuse Disorder Would Lose Access To Health Care Coverage Because Of Medicaid Cuts In The One Big Beautiful Bill

An Estimated 53,000 People With Substance-Abuse Disorder Would Lose Access To Health Care Coverage Because Of Medicaid Cuts In The One Big Beautiful Bill. [Center for American Progress, 6/18/25]

[Center for American Progress, 6/18/25]

According To Brookings, The One Big Beautiful Bill Was Expected To Have “A Devastating Impact On People With Substance Use Disorders By Posing Significant Procedural Barriers To Medicaid Eligibility”

Brookings: The One Big Beautiful Bill Was Expected To Have “A Devastating Impact On People With Substance Use Disorders By Posing Significant Procedural Barriers To Medicaid Eligibility.” “In the face of what can be considered a concerted effort by the federal government to disinvest in funding for addiction services, whether through the elimination or reduction in grant programs administered by HHS or Medicaid, the way forward is difficult. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have a devastating impact on people with substance use disorders by posing significant procedural barriers to Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid is the primary payer for both substance use and mental health treatment, and without it, most individuals will have no viable way to access care. Even those who are employed may find that private insurance does not cover necessary treatment, or that high co-pays and deductibles place care out of reach. Further, the proposed cuts to HHS grant programs, including the block grant program that funds treatment for individuals without insurance, will leave millions without access to needed care.” [Brookings, 7/21/25]

Brookings: Medicaid Was “The Primary Payer For Both Substance Use And Mental Health Treatment, And Without It, Most Individuals Will Have No Viable Way To Access Care.” “In the face of what can be considered a concerted effort by the federal government to disinvest in funding for addiction services, whether through the elimination or reduction in grant programs administered by HHS or Medicaid, the way forward is difficult. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have a devastating impact on people with substance use disorders by posing significant procedural barriers to Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid is the primary payer for both substance use and mental health treatment, and without it, most individuals will have no viable way to access care. Even those who are employed may find that private insurance does not cover necessary treatment, or that high co-pays and deductibles place care out of reach. Further, the proposed cuts to HHS grant programs, including the block grant program that funds treatment for individuals without insurance, will leave millions without access to needed care.” [Brookings, 7/21/25]

Regina Labelle, A Professor At Georgetown University, And David R. Holtgrave, An Adjunct Professor At Johns Hopkins University, Noted The Medicaid Cuts For Drug Abuse Treatment In The OBBB Would Have “Devastating Consequences”

Regina Labelle, A Professor At Georgetown University, And David R. Holtgrave, An Adjunct Professor At Johns Hopkins University, Noted The Medicaid Cuts For Drug Abuse Treatment In The OBBB Would Have “Devastating Consequences.” “Evans’ biggest blow to Colorado’s efforts to combat substance abuse came in the form of his two votes for the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which cut $1 trillion from Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income people that’s funded with federal and state dollars. It was the largest cut in the program’s history and is expected to result in an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 Coloradans losing health insurance. Of those, an estimated 53,000 Medicaid enrollees in Colorado with ‘substance-use disorder could lose coverage and access to treatment’ under the OBBB, according to a report by the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank. Nationally, over 1.6 million people with this disorder could be dropped from Medicaid. In a commentary published by the Brookings Institution, Regina LaBelle, a professor at Georgetown University, and David R. Holtgrave, an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, reported last year that the Medicaid cuts for drug abuse treatment would have ‘devastating consequences.’” [Colorado Times Recorder, 4/16/26]

Adam Fox, Deputy Director Of The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, Said Work Requirements In The OBBB Were Going To “Make It A Lot Harder For Adults And Parents To Maintain Their Medicaid Coverage, And If They Have A Substance Abuse Illness That They Need Treated, That’s Gonna Make It That Much Harder For Them To Receive The Treatment They Need”

Adam Fox, Deputy Director Of The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, Said Work Requirements In The OBBB Were Going To “Make It A Lot Harder For Adults And Parents To Maintain Their Medicaid Coverage, And If They Have A Substance Abuse Illness That They Need Treated, That’s Gonna Make It That Much Harder For Them To Receive The Treatment They Need.” “The OBBB’s new Medicaid eligibility requirements, which require enrollees to work or volunteer at least 80 hours per month to receive assistance, will make it hard for people who need substance abuse treatment to maintain their coverage, says Adam Fox, deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, an advocacy group, even if this requirement does not apply to some. ‘I think especially with the work requirements that are going to be starting in January, it’s gonna make it a lot harder for adults and parents to maintain their Medicaid coverage, and if they have a substance abuse illness that they need treated, that’s gonna make it that much harder for them to receive the treatment they need,’ Fox told the Colorado Times Recorder. ‘And ultimately, it won’t make it any easier for them to maintain employment.’” [Colorado Times Recorder, 4/16/26]

An Analysis From The University Of Pennsylvania Projected Medicaid Cuts In The One Big Beautiful Bill Would Result In 1,000 More Overdose Deaths Over The Course Of One Year

An Analysis From UPenn Projected Medicaid Cuts In The One Big Beautiful Bill Would Result In 1,000 Overdose Deaths In The Course Of One Year. “The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 7.8 million individuals will become uninsured due to loss of Medicaid coverage.1 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General reported that in 2021, just over 1 million adults, or 2%, of those on Medicaid had Opioid Use Disorder and were receiving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).2 Accordingly, we project that 156,000 people (2%) of the 7.8 million will lose access to MOUD. To model the impact on overdoses, we used the RESPOND (Researching Effective Strategies to Prevent Opioid Death) model, a population-based model that allows simulation of movement onto and off of MOUD, showing overdose and cost outcomes. Applying the RESPOND model allows us to project that the overdose rate among the group losing treatment will double in the first year following coverage loss. Accordingly, we project that the loss of Medicaid from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is associated with over 1,000 excess fatal overdoses over the course of one year.” [UPenn, 7/2/25]