The 2024 general election in Colorado resulted in 98 percent of COMPAC-endorsed candidates winning their races, according to the Colorado Medical Society (CMS). This outcome is expected to shape health care policy in the upcoming 2025 legislative session. The endorsement process by COMPAC, CMS’s political action committee, aimed to connect new legislators with physicians so they understand medical priorities and have established relationships for consultation.
With many new lawmakers entering both chambers, CMS’s advocacy team expects that these members will bring different viewpoints and foster more cooperation on health issues. “The COMPAC endorsement process connected incoming legislators with physicians so that they understand what medicine’s priorities are and have relationships with local physicians to consult when questions arise,” said Sean Pauzauskie, MD, COMPAC chair, and Darlene Tad-y, MD, MBA, Council on Legislation chair.
Several House districts—HD 16, 19, 43, and 50—were closely contested. As of press time, Democrat Bob Marshall won HD 43 while Republican Ryan Gonzalez secured HD 50. In the Senate, Republican Marc Catlin’s victory in SD 5 was significant in preventing a Democratic supermajority.
A notable ballot measure passed during the election preserved abortion access within Colorado’s constitution. This development is likely to lead to further discussions and proposed legislation on reproductive health care during the next session.
Leadership changes are also anticipated at the capitol. The Senate will see a new president and there will be new chairs for both House and Senate Health Committees. “We remain optimistic that these leadership roles will be filled by legislators with a history of support for the medical community,” said Pauzauskie and Tad-y. Representatives-elect Lindsay Gilcrest, Gretchen Rydin, Rebekah Stewart, as well as Senators-elect Judy Amabile and Lindsey Daugherty are among those expected to advocate for key health care issues.
CMS has outlined several legislative priorities for 2025 including improving access to care, addressing Medicaid RAC audits, regulating pharmacy benefit managers, banning non-compete clauses for physicians, and reviewing hospital facility fees. There will also be efforts to streamline arbitration processes for out-of-network services by allowing batching of similar claims. The organization plans to oppose inappropriate expansions of scope of practice and any attempts that could destabilize the liability climate.
A projected $900 million state budget shortfall poses challenges for securing Medicaid funding. Governor Jared Polis’s proposed Medicaid budget includes $23 million in cuts to physician and other service rates. Addressing these financial constraints will require focused advocacy from CMS to keep health care a priority at the legislature.
As the session progresses, additional bills related to health care are expected to be introduced.
