A bill aiming to give the California Medical Board authority to revoke the licenses of physicians who have disseminated COVID-19 misinformation to patients cleared its most recent hurdle in committee this week. The Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee ultimately passed the controversial bill 9-4, but only after sitting through dozens of opposing testimonies … Read more
The legislature finalized their version of the FY22-23 budget last week. In the remaining days of June, legislative leaders will meet with Gov. Newsom’s office to hash out remaining disagreements. The governor is required to sign a finalized version before the end of the month, but state leaders are likely to continue putting finishing touches … Read more
With many states poised to ban abortions after the Supreme Court issues its decision on Roe v. Wade this summer, California lawmakers are working to expand the number of practitioners who can provide abortion care. Senate Bill 1375, sponsored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D – San Diego), would allow experienced nurse practitioners … Read more
After falling short of passing insulin cost-control legislation in recent past sessions, the California Legislature is advancing a bill that would prohibit health plans from imposing a cost-sharing requirement on insulin, other than a maximum $35 per month copay. The current cap on insulin copays is $250. Sponsored by Sen. Pat Bates (R – San … Read more
I’m happy to announce that the registration page for our 2022 Los Angeles State of Reform Health Policy Conference is now live! You can register here to join us at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport on Sept. 22nd! We’re holding our Convening Panel meeting for the event today, so stay tuned for the announcement of panel … Read more
Despite staunch opposition, Sen. Richard Pan (D – Sacramento)’s bill to allow minors aged 12-17 to consent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine without permission from their parents continues to advance in the California Legislature. The legislation, Senate Bill 866, was introduced in February as part of a bill package intended to promote COVID vaccination in … Read more
Under current California law, beneficiaries of commercial health insurance are entitled to an independent medical review (IMR) of any services that their health plan denied to provide to them after deeming them “medically unnecessary.” California’s Medicaid program, however, doesn’t guarantee the same rights to all of its members. The 4 million of California’s 13 million … Read more
Should California be able to govern the speech of medical professionals for the sake of preventing misinformation? Based on the Assembly’s recent passage of Assembly Bill 2098, the majority of the chamber’s representatives think it should. The legislation did, however, receive 20 “no” votes and has been the subject of terse disagreement among stakeholders. AB … Read more
A controversial push to restrict anti-competitive practices like consolidation in California’s health sector has cleared a major hurdle with its approval from the Assembly last week. Despite consistent disagreements over the bill’s provisions, the Assembly ultimately passed Assembly Bill 2080 with a 45-19 vote. It now needs to clear the Senate. Intended to combat the … Read more
According to supporters of Assembly Bill 1502, a number of nursing home operators in California are running their facilities without proper licenses, and their unregulated practices are significantly undermining patient care. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), according to the bill, is allowing this to continue through lax oversight practices. The bill aims to … Read more