PREPARING FOR WHAT'S AHEAD IN 2027
As the dog days of summer have transitioned into back-to-school season, the Copic Public Affairs team is shifting our focus toward what the 2027 legislative session could have in store for us.
What's the Big Picture?
The 2026 primary elections are behind us. The primary election results indicated a shift toward change from the status quo. This is nothing we did not expect in a midterm election year.
In Colorado, we saw a shift from “establishment” incumbent legislators to self-proclaimed “anti-establishment” candidates. In Minnesota, we’re seeing over 26 House members and 17 senators stepping down at the end of this year, which significantly changes the balance of the legislature next year. Gubernatorial primaries in Colorado and Iowa presented unexpected results, favoring what some viewed as the underdog candidates. And South Dakota’s Republican gubernatorial primary went into a runoff, which Governor Larry Rhoden won in a landslide.
The Copic Public Affairs team is continuing to track developments leading up to the general elections on November 3, 2026.
WHAT HAS COPIC BEEN UP TO IN THE INTERIM?
On the Political Side...
We have been proactively engaging conversations with current and prospective legislators. We bring them up to speed on the need to protect access to quality care, preserve the physician-patient relationship, and maintain the ability to review and improve care. For first-time candidates running for office, these early conversations allow our team to identify candidates who are or may be aligned with the Copic mission. From there, we work to build trust and understanding on our issues.
On the Policy Side...
The interim months are also utilized for proactive policy setting conversations. This year, the hot topic is med spa regulations. There are roughly 10,500 med spas that are operating across the country, according to the American Med Spa Association. And the American Medical Association highlighted that 36 states lack any specific laws or regulations written directly for these practices. The Copic team is engaging in conversations with legislators and stakeholder partners on how best to regulate these facilities to ensure patient safety and transparency in care.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO ENGAGE?
As we consider the 2027 legislative session, we want to remind you that your voice as a healthcare clinician is valuable in the legislative process. We recommend that you start with the steps below.
- Be curious—To start, you can look up your state legislators by entering your address on our “View Your Election Center” feature on the Healthcare Advocacy page on the Copic website. When it comes to tracking and engaging on policy issues across our core footprint, Copic’s got you covered. However, we encourage you to ask us questions, engage through your state medical association, and testify on bills when your voice and your story are needed.
- Understand your expertise and its value—As a clinician, you have expertise into the care and treatment of patients and the policies that impact the delivery of that care. While the federal government gets more attention in the news, most legislation that dictates healthcare access and delivery is made at the state level. That’s where your impact can make a difference. When the time is right, your stories are invaluable in communicating with legislators. Some examples may include your experience juggling the administrative hurdles of running your own practice or delivering care to patients in the emergency room. Help us build the bench and let the Copic Public Affairs team know if you’re interested in testifying on bills or corresponding with your legislator.
- Maintain relationships with your state legislators—Healthcare clinicians are often perceived as leaders in the community, especially in rural areas. Your legislator may already be aware of your practice and would like to know more. Reach out and introduce yourself! That way, when an issue arises that could impact your practice, your legislator will recognize your impact. The Copic team would also be happy to coordinate a legislator tour of your facility so they can hear directly from you on the issues that you are facing.
Visit Copic’s Healthcare Advocacy page for more information on bills we tracked during the legislative session, to sign up for newsletter updates, or to find your elected officials. If you have any questions, please contact Copic’s Director of Public Affairs, Sarah Meirose.
The information provided herein does not, and is not intended to constitute legal, medical, or other professional advice; instead, this information is for general informational purposes only. The specifics of each state’s laws and the specifics of each circumstance may impact its accuracy and applicability, therefore, the information should not be relied upon for medical, legal, or financial decisions and you should consult an appropriate professional for specific advice that pertains to your situation.
Article originally published in Copic’s Copiscope 3Q26 newsletter.
