Rep. Junie Joseph Condemns Trump Executive Order Targeting State AI Protections; Pledges Colorado Will Lead on Responsible AI in Healthcare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 12, 2025

BOULDER, Colo. — Today, Representative Junie Joseph strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s December 11 Executive Order seeking to preempt state oversight of artificial intelligence. The order creates a federal task force to review state AI laws deemed “onerous” and authorizes agencies to consider funding restrictions for states whose laws conflict with federal policy.

“While a national framework may support the United States’ leadership in AI, states must retain the right to protect their residents on critical issues like healthcare,” said Rep. Joseph. “Colorado’s constitutional authority to protect patient safety, ensure medical integrity, and hold corporations accountable is directly threatened, especially in high-risk sectors like healthcare.”

“President Trump’s order prioritizes corporate convenience over human life, public safety, and medical ethics. Colorado lawmakers have a duty to protect our residents, and I will not stand by while our ability to regulate AI in healthcare is undermined.”

Foreshadowing Health-Specific AI Legislation

Despite this federal overreach, Rep. Joseph emphasized that Colorado will continue pursuing responsible AI legislation. Her forthcoming 2026 AI in Healthcare Accountability Act is designed to ensure AI is used safely, ethically, and to support rather than replace healthcare professionals.

Key provisions of the legislation include:

• Clinical Oversight Requirements ensuring AI-generated utilization review decisions cannot replace professional judgment and must be reviewed by a qualified clinician

• Patient Notification Provisions requiring providers to disclose when AI is used in decisions affecting diagnosis, treatment, or coverage

• Safety Standards for Mental Health Chatbots to ensure crisis-response capabilities, suicide-risk escalation protocols, and clear disclosures that bots are not licensed mental health providers

  
  

Rep. Joseph emphasized the stakes for Colorado consumers:

“We must ensure AI strengthens healthcare, not creates a two-tier system where wealthy people have access to human providers and everyone else is forced to rely on automated care. That is not the future Coloradans deserve.”

Defending State Authority While Encouraging Innovation

“Colorado’s approach has always been targeted, thoughtful, and people-centered,” said Rep. Joseph. “This Executive Order threatens health-specific, safety-driven protections, but it will not stop us from pursuing legislation that safeguards our residents. States have regulated medicine, insurance, and patient safety for generations, and AI does not erase that authority.”

Rep. Joseph called on Governor Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser, and her legislative colleagues to support state authority in AI regulation.

“Colorado must continue leading with responsible, health-specific, and people-centered AI policy. We can protect our communities while fostering innovation, and no federal order should prevent states from doing what is right for our residents.”