Reappoint Laura Carroll to Colorado Medical Services Board for Transparency

As a Westminster resident and parent of a medically complex child, I've spent the past several months attending Medical Services Board meetings, HCPF stakeholder meetings, and Commission on Medicaid meetings. I wanted to share this because thousands of families across the Denver metro area rely on Colorado Medicaid and the decisions being made right now directly affect many of them. I didn't create this petition because I agreed with every policy or every decision. I created it because I consistently saw one thing from Laura Carroll that I believe matters in public service. She listened. Families, providers, advocates, board members, and HCPF staff all had an opportunity to speak. She asked thoughtful questions, encouraged transparency, and made sure public testimony wasn't simply treated as a formality. As Colorado faces difficult Medicaid budget decisions, I believe we need leaders who are willing to hear directly from the people affected. One thing I've learned through this process is that Medicaid sustainability isn't simply about reducing spending. It also means understanding the long-term impacts of policy decisions. For many medically necessary cases, the care didn't disappear because needs changed. The care still has to be provided. In many situations, what changed was who Medicaid would reimburse for providing that care. Family caregivers continue providing medically necessary care every day, helping many Coloradans remain safely at home while potentially reducing reliance on higher-cost hospitalizations and institutional care. Colorado also continues to face significant direct care workforce shortages, making family caregivers an essential part of the long-term care system. Whether you agree with me or not, I hope we can all agree that these decisions should be based on evidence, transparency, accountability, and meaningful public engagement. Because of my experience attending these meetings, I created a petition asking Governor Polis to consider reappointing Laura Carroll to the Medical Services Board. If anyone is interested in reading it or learning more about why I started it, I'd be happy to share the link in the comments. I appreciate anyone who took the time to read this, regardless of whether you agree with my perspective.