Aurora’s Decision Against Raising Minimum Wage Provides Opportunity To Press For Increased HCBS Reimbursement

Posted: Nov. 4, 2020

The Home Care & Hospice Association of Colorado and its member agencies will have another year to persuade legislators to raise Medicaid Home & Community Based Services reimbursements. 

The Aurora City Council, poised to raise wages to $17 by 2025, narrowly reversed course and early Tuesday rejected the proposal 6-5 with Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman casting the deciding vote. 

HHAC pressed councilmembers to reject the increase and focus first on obtaining higher Medicaid reimbursement. New HHAC member Angela Mulcahy was among callers citing the consequences that insufficient reimbursement would have on Medicaid clients and caregivers in each of Aurora’s six council wards. 

HHAC remains concerned agencies will not take new Medicaid clients in Aurora, or worse, will discharge Medicaid clients in Aurora because they can’t pay the higher wages and remain solvent. 

Agencies: If you’re not a member of the association, please join TODAY to help HHAC in its advocacy efforts and to receive more frequent updates on this and other items potentially affecting your agency.