At the end of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing stakeholder call, Doug Muir of CommonSpirit pressed staff about whether the department is pursuing value‑based payment opportunities, Medicaid waivers, or other partnership solutions to avoid losing behavioral‑health services in the face of budget cuts.

“Is there any thoughtful discussion as it relates to value‑based payment opportunities, ways to be creative with the current and future budget cuts and constraints, that are impacting behavioral health care provision, any Medicaid waivers that are being proposed?” Muir asked.

Andrew Abalos said behavioral‑health staff were not present on the call and declined to speak for ongoing efforts but offered to locate and share Medicaid sustainability documents released earlier in the year that might address the question. He invited Muir to follow up by email.

Kevin Martin recommended that attendees with specific questions send them in writing so staff can route them to the appropriate teams or bring them to future engagement meetings; he suggested contacting Kim (department staff) for broader collaboration. Muir said he would follow up and frame questions for staff outreach.

Outcome: staff committed to follow‑up by email and to route stakeholder questions to the appropriate teams; no policy commitments or new waivers were announced during the meeting.