As we move through the 2025 legislative session, I am excited to share updates on the vital health care initiatives I am advancing to support our Western Slope communities. Health care accessibility, affordability, and quality remain top priorities for families across Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt counties. This session, I am championing several health care bills that address the unique challenges faced by our rural and mountain communities. 

Preserving access to rural independent pharmacies 

For many in our Western Slope communities, the local pharmacy is not just a place to pick up prescriptions — it’s an essential health care resource. That is why I am proud to sponsor HB25-1222, which helps preserve access to rural independent pharmacies, a bill idea brought to me directly by a constituent in Oak Creek. This bill does a few things. First, it ensures fair reimbursement for rural independent pharmacies and allows the delivery of life-saving drugs by rural independent pharmacies to underserved communities. Next, it makes sure audit recovery practices are fair so rural independent pharmacies don’t close. Finally, it gives pharmacies much needed flexibility to serve their communities through remote operations. 

These protections will help ensure that our community members can continue to access vital medications and healthcare services close to home, without having to travel long distances or face unnecessary delays. 

Supporting our rural health care infrastructure 

Rural hospitals and health care facilities are lifelines for our communities, providing essential services that save lives and improve health outcomes. However, these facilities often face unique financial and operational challenges that can threaten their sustainability. That’s why I am sponsoring HB25-1085, which modernizes outdated rules for Colorado county hospitals by allowing government officials to serve as board trustees, making board meetings more flexible, and extending budget deadlines. These common sense changes were requested directly by a constituent wanting to support Colorado’s rural county hospitals to help them operate more efficiently and effectively. 

Building on this work, I am also proud to sponsor HB25-1223, which establishes a task force to study the current capital needs of our rural and frontier hospitals. This legislation will help determine the financial resources required to bring these facilities up to date with existing standards and codes. By identifying these needs, we can make targeted investments to ensure our rural healthcare infrastructure remains strong for generations to come. 

Additionally, I am sponsoring SB25-078, which allows nonprofit, small hospitals to enter into collaborative agreements with other hospitals to increase patient health care access. These partnerships will help smaller facilities leverage resources, share expertise, and ultimately provide better care for patients across our rural communities. 

Protecting our student athletes 

The health and safety of our young people is a top priority, and that includes during school sporting events. SB25-191 requires high schools – particularly at sporting events – to follow nationally recognized guidelines for all automated external defibrillators in schools. This means there will not be AEDs behind locked doors, and it will be widely known where AEDs are located. With sudden cardiac arrest being the leading cause of death among student athletes, these changes will help schools implement life-saving measures more efficiently. Every minute counts during a cardiac emergency, and having AEDs readily available at sporting events could save a life. 

Continuing our work together 

These health care initiatives address specific challenges our communities face while being mindful of our state’s fiscal realities. Each bill responds directly to feedback from health care providers, patients and community leaders across House District 26, focusing on practical solutions that will make a real difference in people’s lives. 

As always, I believe we make the best policy when we listen to those closest to the issues. If you have insights about healthcare in our communities or thoughts on any of these bills, please share them with me. You can reach me at meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov or attend one of my upcoming town halls. For more frequent updates throughout the legislative session, join my newsletter by sending me an email. 

Let’s keep in touch and keep making a difference in House District 26. Onward!