Agenda Highlights
• Legislative Session Update
• UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine Update
• Regional Action Committee (RAC) Updates
• Committee Updates
o Neurodivergent Advocacy Project
o Emerging Pediatrics Group
Colorado 2026 Legislative Session Update: Presented by Alyson Williams, Health District of Northern Colorado
Session Snapshot
• 626 bills introduced
• 449 bills passed
• 72% pass rate (down from 89% in 2025)
• State faces ongoing budget challenges and an anticipated $1 billion deficit next year.
• Ballot measure proposed to raise TABOR spending cap.
Major Healthcare Policy Themes
Budget Impacts
Potential effects on:
• Medicaid provider reimbursements
• Senior dental programs
• Area Agencies on Aging funding
• Intellectual & Developmental Disability (IDD) services
o Waitlists expected to grow significantly
o Family caregiver hours capped
• Medicaid dental benefits capped
Housing & Homelessness
• Streamlined affordable housing development
• Expanded ability for local governments to use public property for housing
• Additional state and regional homelessness strategies
Public Benefits & Medicaid
• State restructuring of public benefits delivery
• New Medicaid Commission formed to address federal policy changes
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Legislation addressed:
• AI use in healthcare settings
• AI in psychotherapy
• Broader AI regulation
Key takeaway: AI policy discussions will continue in 2027.
Health Facilities & Insurance
Bills focused on:
• Reducing administrative burden
• EMS availability
• Insurance affordability
• Medical records access
• Healthcare in regulated facilities
Behavioral Health
Legislation addressed:
• Red flag petitions by institutions
• Mental health hold procedures
• Licensing/reimbursement for Applied Behavior Analysts
Pharmaceutical Access
Topics included:
• Access to compounded medications
• Abortion medication access on college campuses
Looking Ahead to 2027
Expected priorities:
1. Prescription drug affordability
2. Additional AI regulation
3. New fee enterprise discussions
4. Another challenging budget year
UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM): Presented by Dr. Beth Longenecker
Mission: To provide a transformative education in a culture that cultivates proficiency, inclusion, collaboration, mentorship, and professionalism.
Develop physicians who:
• Deliver patient-centered care
• Promote health equity
• Serve rural and underserved communities
• Strengthen Colorado’s healthcare workforce
Strategic Priorities
• Achieve full accreditation
• Foster academic and clinical excellence
• Build an inclusive and supportive learning environment
• Integrate deeply with local healthcare systems and communities
Funding Overview
Capital Funding
• $127 million capital investment
• Supported through HB24-1231
• Additional $42 million escrow funding
Operational Funding
• $35 million secured through philanthropy and foundations including:
o Weld Trust
o Boettcher Foundation
o LaGuardia Foundation
o Schramm Foundation
o UNC Foundation
Economic Impact
Colorado
• $476.6 million total projected impact over 20 years
• $43.8 million annual long-term impact
Weld County
• $362.1 million total projected impact
• $20.1 million annual long-term impact
Next milestones:
• Pre-Accreditation (allows student recruitment/admissions)
• Preoperational Site Visit
• Curriculum launch
Graduate Medical Education (GME)
Exploring:
• Rural-track Family Medicine residency program
• Collaboration with other Colorado medical schools
Facilities Update
• Groundbreaking completed September 2024
• Building construction nearing completion
• Certificate of Occupancy expected imminently
First Class (Projected Class of 2030)
If admissions opened today:
• 81 admitted students
• 152 on waitlist
• 59% Colorado residents
• 30% underrepresented in medicine
• 48% educationally/economically disadvantaged
• Average age: 27
Grand Opening & White Coat Ceremony – July 24, 2026
NoCo HSP Committees:
• Legislative Advocacy
• Recruitment & Retention
• Better Serving the Aging Population
• Neurodivergent Advocacy (new)
Neurodivergent Advocacy Project: Presented by Taylor Weinmeister (At Home)
• Focused on advocacy and support for neurodivergent individuals.
Emerging Pediatrics Group: Presented by Melissa Brewster (UCHealth)
Increase awareness of pediatric resources and services across Northern Colorado through:
• Collaboration
• Education
• Connection among pediatric-focused organizations
“Competition does not sit at the table—collaboration does.”
Current Partners
• Abby Care
• Action Behavior Centers
• KidsCare Home Health
• Foothills Gateway
• Summit Therapy Group
• UCHealth Children’s Therapy Services
Future Recruitment Goals
• Pediatric physician groups
• Child psychiatrists
• Child psychologists
• Additional behavioral health partners
Vision
• Improve community awareness of pediatric services
• Educate families and professionals
• Strengthen cross-organizational collaboration