UPDATE: Senate Bill 41 died in committee early Thursday evening on a 6-3 vote.
A bill that the Colorado Chamber has added to its Wallet Watchdog bill list for the 2026 legislative session is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee today. Senate Bill 41 would make significant changes to how health care mergers and acquisitions are regulated in Colorado.
The bill establishes new requirements for health care entities seeking to merge or complete certain transactions. SB 41 creates fees for parties involved in mergers, requires advance notice of certain transactions and imposes additional disclosure requirements. It would also prohibit certain transactions altogether, adding new restrictions to the approval process.
The Colorado Chamber’s Health Care Council took an opposed position on the bill last month due to concerns that it adds a duplicative layer of regulation on top of existing oversight. Health care providers already operate in a highly regulated environment, and additional restrictions could limit flexibility for organizations seeking to partner, consolidate or expand services.
Business and health care leaders have also raised concerns about the potential impact on access and affordability of care, particularly in rural communities where providers often rely on partnerships or mergers to remain financially viable. By imposing new fees, additional reporting requirements and restrictions on transactions, the bill could increase the cost of care for Coloradans and make it more difficult for providers to adapt to changing market conditions.
The Chamber will continue to oppose the bill and will keep members updated on its progression.