We have less than six weeks to go before the 2026 legislative session, so I’d like to give an overview of my bills for the coming year. These policy proposals may look different by the time they reach the finish line after the legislative process, and I encourage you to reach out if you have any thoughts.
Our local emergency responders are overworked and underfunded, so I am working with local EMS providers and fire districts to ensure that EMS is adequately compensated for their work. Currently, insurance companies reimburse EMS only when they transport patients to the hospital. However, in a large percentage of calls EMS responds to, patients require treatment but do not need transport. My bill will allow EMS to bill insurance companies for Treatment In Place, ensuring providers are paid for the work they do in our communities and reducing financial stress on our EMS and fire districts.
Another bill will be a series of measures to strengthen protections for people in county jails, in light of the abuses that inmates suffered in La Plata County. I’ve worked with House Majority Leader Monica Duran (D-Wheatridge) and with the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault and a number of the women who came forward to build up reporting requirements and restrict unnecessary and improper searches.
I’m working on legislation that will protect the standard practices of compounding pharmacies, which customize medications to fit patients’ specific needs. Compounding is an important practice for patients with rare conditions, medication restrictions and more – like an elderly person who is unable to swallow pills and needs their medications mixed in a liquid form not offered by drug manufacturers. Recently, there were competing court cases in California and Texas that have put this practice on uncertain footing. This bill will preserve reasonable standards for compounding pharmacies, so that rural Coloradans can continue to locally access the medications they need.
I am also working with Sen. Simpson (R-Alamosa) on adjustments to Colorado’s program encouraging affordable homeownership, to make it better fit our needs in mountain resort communities. Other legislation I’m working on includes closing a loophole in the funding for 988, Colorado’s suicide hotline, to ensure that everyone is paying in to this important service, and a measure that will increase the penalty for a person’s third offense luring bears with food, to reduce human bear conflict.
I’m hearing from constituents across the district regarding the sticker shock of health insurance premiums. Congress continues to fail to renew the Affordable Care Act’s health care subsidies. Without these subsidies, Southwest Colorado is facing a 150% to 200% increase in premium costs for people currently using the tax credit and an 28% increase for everyone once the ripple effects hit the rest of the insurance market. These increases will devastate working families, and I strongly encourage everyone to reach out to Rep Jeff Hurd, at https://hurd.house.gov/contact to share how these cuts will impact you and urge him to fight for the long term extension of these subsidies.
Finally, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge my colleague, Sen. Faith Winter (D-Westminster), who passed away in a car accident in late November. Winter was a dedicated public servant who served her community and constituents well, and she will be greatly missed at the Capitol and in many spaces across the country.
I wish everyone a safe and happy holidays.
Katie Stewart represents House District 59 in the Colorado State House, which encompasses Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan counties and most of Montezuma County. Reach her at katie.stewart.house@coleg.gov.
