At a Glance
- 38 states will regulate AI use in health care and elections.
- Paid family and medical leave will expand in Maine, Delaware, Minnesota, and others.
- Obamacare premium subsidies will lapse, but Colorado will spend $100 million to cushion the blow.
- Why it matters: These laws affect how people vote, receive medical care, and pay for health insurance.
As 2026 approaches, states roll out new laws that touch on AI in health care, paid leave, health insurance costs, and voting rights.
AI and Health Care Regulations
Thirty-eight states passed legislation this year to curb AI misuse in elections and regulate medical information, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
California banned AI developers from making patients believe they are speaking with licensed health-care professionals, while Oregon barred AI programs from using the title “nurse” when giving medical advice.
Montana and South Dakota require disclosures about “deepfakes” in elections, a measure that could be used in next year’s midterms.
Deepfakes-images, video or audio digitally altered to misrepresent statements-have already caused confusion in elections, such as an AI-generated robocall impersonating President Biden.
- California
- Oregon
- Montana
- South Dakota
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Maine, Delaware and Minnesota will enact paid family and medical leave policies in 2026, adding to states that already offer such benefits.
Minnesota’s bill, sponsored by physician Alice Mann, aims to give workers wages while caring for themselves or family.
Mann said she saw patients forced to choose between care and paychecks.
Alice Mann said:
> “I see people every single day who struggle. People are left with the choice of taking care of themselves, their family members, their new baby and not getting a paycheck anymore.”
The state will run a $5 million public-information campaign to explain the policy.
Obamacare Subsidy Lapse and State Relief
All 50 states will face rising health-care costs after Congress failed to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Colorado allocated $100 million to offset premium hikes in its health-care exchange.
Kyle Brown said:
> “Before we passed the bill, people’s premiums on average were expected to go up by 175% in Colorado. We passed the bill, and now they’re only going up by 100%.”
| State | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 175% | 101% |
Colorado’s relief will affect about 225,000 people.
Stricter Voting Laws
20 states passed 37 bills to restrict voting access, while 23 states passed 51 bills to improve voting, the fewest since 2021.
Kansas and North Dakota cut grace periods for mail-in ballots, and 8 states limited photo-ID alternatives.
27 states introduced proof-of-citizenship requirements, a surge from the previous session.
Chris Vasquez said:
> “I think the main thrust of the story of the year is sort of Trump in March issuing this executive order.”
Chris Vasquez said:
> “I think, especially looking at the Supreme Court potentially really curtailing the ability of plaintiffs to bring Voting Rights Act claims in federal court, these state voting rights acts are essentially something to keep an eye on into potential work against potentially voter suppressive laws.”
Key Takeaways
- AI regulations will shape elections and medical information.
- Paid leave expansions will provide wages for workers caring for family.
- Colorado’s $100 million relief will limit premium hikes after subsidy lapse.
These state actions reflect a patchwork of regulations that will shape elections, health care, and workers’ rights as 2026 unfolds.
