Health-related bills signed into California law will take effect on Jan. 1 and directly impact Californians in 2025. Many bills are enacted each year.
The California Chronic Care Coalition annually reviews proposed bills to ensure that patients’ voices are heard and their needs are addressed. These five enacted bills may have the most impact on California patients with chronic and rare diseases.
1. AB 2258 (Zbur) – Health Care Coverage: Cost-Sharing
This bill codifies federal guidance requiring health plans and health insurers to cover services that are integral to the delivery of recommended preventive services without out-of-pocket cost. Under AB 2258, patients can expect reduced financial strain as health plans are barred from adding cost-sharing for services related to preventive care services and screenings considered crucial under the California Code.
2. AB 2613 (Zbur) – Rare Disease Advisory Council
This bill establishes the Jacqueline Marie Zbur Rare Disease Advisory Council to improve patient access to rare disease services by developing recommendations, seeking grants, and advocating for individuals with rare diseases.
3. SB 729 (Menjivar) – Health Care Coverage: InferClity Diagnosis & Treatment
This bill expands healthcare coverage by mandating insurance providers cover infertility diagnoses and services, ensuring comprehensive treatment for individuals facing infertility.
4. SB 1061 (Limón) – Medical Debt
This bill prohibits healthcare providers from reporting patient medical debt to credit agencies, offering relief to individuals burdened by medical expenses.
5. AB 1842 (Reyes) – MedicaCon-Assisted Treatment
This bill requires health plans or insurers to provide coverage without prior authorization, step therapy, or utilization review for at least one medication in each of four categories related to opiate addiction, treatment, and overdose.
Hundreds of bills are passed in California annually that potentially impact health care access, treatment, and insurance coverage.
“The California Chronic Care Coalition monitors the proposed bills and decides which will have a positive impact on those with chronic disease, but is important that everyone review their health plan annually to ensure their providers, medications and other treatments remain available and that they understand the associated fees and cost-sharing in their plan,” stated President and CEO Liz Helms. “In the coming year, we will review the proposed bills and work with member advocates, legislators and others to promote the interests and concerns of California patients.”
These bills are not a representative sample of the large number of bills passed in 2024, but CCCC believes they may have the most noticeable impact on Californians facing ongoing and long-term treatment.
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Source: www.mercurynews.com