Protect Medicaid access for mental health

My name is Dr. Stacy Reuille-Dupont, and I’m writing on behalf of Studio B, a mental health and wellness clinic serving the Durango community. 

For the past 15 years, I’ve dedicated my career to mental health care in Colorado, from working on the front lines as a clinician to now operating a clinic that employs 10 skilled professionals. 

Throughout my career, I have been a committed Medicaid provider and have seen firsthand the critical role it plays in ensuring access to essential care. We are deeply concerned about the proposed reductions to Medicaid funding and the significant, far-reaching consequences they would have on our clients, staff and broader community.

A large portion of our clientele depends on Medicaid to access consistent, quality mental health care. Cutting Medicaid would likely lead to many losing coverage, forcing them to delay or forgo treatment. This can result in worsening symptoms, increased crises and a rise in the use of emergency services – ultimately driving up costs to taxpayers and overburdening the public health system. 

These disruptions don’t just impact individual lives – they ripple outward, affecting families, workplaces and communities.

In addition, Medicaid reimbursements make up a significant portion of our operating budget. Reduced funding would put immense strain on our ability to maintain staff and serve clients effectively. We could be forced to cut clinician hours, reduce support staff and limit availability for new clients. It would also diminish the quality and continuity of care for those who need it most. The loss of highly trained mental health providers in rural and underserved areas like ours would be devastating.

The broader implications of Medicaid cuts are already being felt statewide. For example, our regional partner, Axis Health System, has had to lay off staff due to funding challenges – reducing access to vital mental and physical health services. With ongoing shifts in employment and subsequent loss of private insurance, many people in our region rely solely on Medicaid.

Research shows that nearly 40% of Colorado Medicaid recipients have a psychiatric diagnosis, and these individuals typically incur twice the total healthcare costs of those without mental health conditions Accessible mental health care helps reduce overall healthcare expenses by preventing unnecessary ER visits, reducing hospitalizations and supporting medication adherence. In short, it’s not just beneficial – it’s cost-effective.

The bottom line: When we invest in accessible, preventive mental health care, we invest in stronger communities, a more stable economy and a healthier Colorado. Cutting Medicaid not only harms our most vulnerable populations but also places additional strain on an already stretched healthcare system. These proposed reductions would result in higher long-term costs for everyone.

Maintaining robust mental health support is essential – not just for those directly receiving care, but for the health and stability of our entire region.

– Dr. Stacy Reuille-Dupont, Durango