If I Was Governor of Colorado: Here's how I'd fix the Medicaid problem that's distressing the state

In 2019 I wrote God Punched Back. I warned readers that we would see people forcibly removed from the welfare system, and also that local and state governments needed to become self-sufficient by cutting off funds from each level of government above them. My subsequent book, God's Public Option, laid out a non-government practical and tactical blueprint to help the government with its budget and at the same time, meet the people's very real needs. Alas, I have come to accept the truth that most people, despite what they say and regardless of their religion or faith, want to be governed by countless laws. So here is a high level view of my solution that requires legislators to act.

The state of Colorado should create and recognize an entity that operates at a perpetual loss and cannot have an income. The sole purpose of the entity is to engage and encourage taxpayers to directly pay expenses for those currently receiving Medicaid, Section 8 and other welfare subsidies in lieu of the government paying it. This can be easily tracked because the payment is made directly to the service provider, i.e., doctor, landlord, etc. For example, through my entity, I would pay the doctor immediately and directly for the Medicaid recipient's appointment. (In this case we'd have to get rid of the mind-bending part of Medicaid Fraud that prohibits a doctor from participating in this.)

This solution is win-win-win for everyone. No one loses.

1. The state can systematically reduce its social services spending; thus, helping both the state and federal government.

2. The state increases revenue through the Secretary of State by requiring the registration of the entities.

3. The taxpayer reduces their tax liability by deducting the loss from their income regardless of how they earn it, i.e., W2, 1099, LLC, etc.

4. The subsidy recipient doesn't lose the financial help they need.

5. The service provider, i.e., doctor, landlord, gets paid immediately and without having to navigate endless bureaucracy to be compensated.

   
   

Clearly, this is a simplified version of the idea. I understand the complexity of pulling this off, but I also have a better understanding than most about politics and policy. In addition to me devoting my career to helping the poor and marginalized, I was the V.P. of Government Affairs for the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors; my husband, Darryl Glenn, is an attorney, former elected official and was the 2016 Colorado Republican candidate for U.S. Senate; and my brother was the Assistant Deputy Director of Taxation for the Colorado Department of Revenue (he was removed from his position when Governor Polis was elected).

Colorado is known for being the first in the nation to do some great and some not-so-great things. Together, let's make this a great one.

Second Heaven Strategies LLC offers Uncommon Advocacy, court ordered and voluntary Mediation, and traditional and nontraditional Lobbying.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland". Isaiah 43:19