A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning continuity of care for disproportionately
Page 1, Line 102impacted communities.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill requires the department of public health and environment and the department of health care policy and financing (health departments) to jointly issue advisory guidance to health-care providers and health-care facilities prohibited from receiving federal medicaid financing pursuant to the federal budget bill, H.R. 1 of the 119th Congress (2025-2026), on how to prioritize the continuity of care for disproportionately impacted communities, with an emphasis on rural areas, communities of color, and low-income populations. The advisory guidance must include strategies, within the provider's scope of practice, for maintaining access to immunizations, cancer screenings, and family planning services for these communities.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. Legislative declaration - legislative intent. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
Page 2, Line 3(a) Reductions or changes in federal health-care funding
Page 2, Line 4associated with the federal budget bill, H.R. 1 of the 119th Congress
Page 2, Line 5(2025-2026), Pub.L. 119-21, including the bill's ban on spending
Page 2, Line 6medicaid dollars on services provided by essential community providers,
Page 2, Line 7have the potential to disproportionately harm disproportionately impacted communities;
Page 2, Line 8(b) These impacts may result in loss of coverage, reduced access
Page 2, Line 9to care, worsened health outcomes, and a strain on community health systems; and
Page 2, Line 10(c) The state of Colorado must safeguard disproportionately impacted communities.
Page 2, Line 11(2) It is the intent of the general assembly that the department of
Page 2, Line 12public health and environment and the department of health care policy
Page 2, Line 13and financing carry out the requirements of this act through the use of existing resources.
Page 2, Line 14SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 25-1-139 as follows:
Page 2, Line 1525-1-139. Continuity of care advisory guidance - repeal.
Page 2, Line 16(1) By December 15, 2025, the department of public health and
Page 2, Line 17environment, created in section 25-1-102, and the department of
Page 3, Line 1health care policy and financing, created in section 25.5-1-104,
Page 3, Line 2shall jointly issue advisory guidance to health-care providers
Page 3, Line 3and health-care facilities prohibited from receiving federal
Page 3, Line 4medicaid financing pursuant to the federal budget bill, H.R. 1 of
Page 3, Line 5the 119th Congress (2025-2026), Pub.L. 119-21, on how the
Page 3, Line 6providers and facilities can prioritize the continuity of care for
Page 3, Line 7disproportionately impacted communities, with an emphasis on
Page 3, Line 8rural areas, communities of color, and low-income populations.
Page 3, Line 9The advisory guidance must include strategies, within the
Page 3, Line 10provider's scope of practice, for maintaining access to
Page 3, Line 11immunizations, cancer screenings, and family planning services
Page 3, Line 12for these communities. A health-care provider or health-care
Page 3, Line 13facility described in this subsection (1) is encouraged to follow the advisory guidance provided by the departments.
Page 3, Line 14(2) This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2027.
Page 3, Line 15SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,
Page 3, Line 16determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
Page 3, Line 17preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for
Page 3, Line 18the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.