The health-related bills signed into California law will take effect on January 1 and will directly affect Californians in 2025. Several bills are enacted each year.
The California Chronic Care Coalition reviews proposed bills annually to ensure patients’ voices are heard and their needs are met. These five bills may have the greatest impact on California patients with chronic and rare diseases.
1. AB 2258 (AP) – Health Care Coverage: Cost Sharing
This bill codifies federal guidance that requires health plans and health insurers to cover services that are integral to the delivery of recommended preventive services at no out-of-pocket cost. Under AB 2258, patients can expect reduced financial stress as health plans are prohibited from adding cost sharing for services related to preventive care services and screenings deemed critical under California law.
2. AB 2613 (ZBOR) – Rare Disease Advisory Council
This bill establishes the Jacqueline Marie Zbor 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: Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility
This bill expands health care coverage by requiring insurance providers to cover infertility diagnoses and services, ensuring comprehensive treatment for individuals struggling with infertility.
4. SB 1061 (Lemon) – Medical debt
This bill prohibits health care providers from reporting patients’ medical debts to credit agencies, providing relief to individuals burdened by medical expenses.
5. AB 1842 (Res) – MedicaCon-Assisted Treatment
This bill would require health plans or insurers to provide coverage without prior authorization, step therapy, or utilization review for at least one drug in each of the four categories of opioid addiction, treatment, and overdose.
Hundreds of bills are passed in California annually that potentially affect access to health care, treatment, and insurance coverage.
“The California Chronic Care Coalition monitors proposed bills and decides what will have a positive impact on people with chronic diseases, but it is important that everyone reviews their health plan annually to ensure providers, medications and other treatments remain available and that they understand the associated fees and cost-sharing,” said President and CEO Liz Helms. In their plan.” “Next year, we will review proposed bills and work with member advocates, legislators and others to advance the interests and concerns of California patients.”
These bills are not a representative sample of the large number of bills passed in 2024, but the CCCC believes they may have the most noticeable impact on Californians facing ongoing, long-term treatment.
