New State Laws for 2026: AI in Healthcare, Voting Restrictions, and Rising Medical Costs
TL/DR –
In the upcoming year, new state laws will be enacted across the U.S. covering various issues such as the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare and elections, paid family and medical leave, and rising medical insurance costs. Thirty-eight states passed legislation this year related to artificial intelligence usage, including preventing the misuse in elections and regulating its usage in health-related information dispersion. Maine, Delaware, and Minnesota will implement paid family and medical leave policies in 2026, joining other states that already provide such benefits.
New State Laws in 2026: AI in Healthcare, Paid Family Leave, Medical Insurance, and Election
As the country welcomes the new year, several state laws will take effect, addressing issues such as artificial intelligence in health care, voting, paid family leave, and health insurance costs.
With Affordable Care Act tax subsidies expiring, states are trying to mitigate higher healthcare premiums. In the face of the forthcoming midterm elections, more restrictive voting laws are being established.
AI Misuse in Elections and Healthcare
In response to the rapid growth of AI, 38 states passed legislation addressing its misuse in elections and medical information dissemination, reports the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Despite President Trump’s executive order last December to limit state regulations on AI, states continue to act on issues such as deepfakes in elections and AI in healthcare.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Maine, Delaware and Minnesota will implement paid family and medical leave policies in 2026. Maryland and Washington have also expanded their existing policies set to take effect this coming year.
Obamacare Subsidies Expiring
Health care costs are set to rise in all 50 states from January as Obamacare premium subsidies expire. Colorado has allocated $100 million to offset premium increases, serving as a “bridge” for 2026.
Stricter Voting Laws
In the past year, 20 states passed 37 bills to restrict voting access, the highest since 2021, according to Voting Rights Lab. In contrast, only 23 states passed 51 bills to improve voting and elections.
Stricter proof-of-citizenship laws related to Trump’s executive order were introduced in 27 states this year, a three-fold increase from the previous session, according to Chris Vasquez, the director of legislative tracking at the Voting Rights Lab.
Vasquez notes that developments in state redistricting and a related Supreme Court case could give a glimpse of what could happen at the state level, including efforts to protect against further voting restrictions.
—
Read More US Political News