As the halfway point of the state's legislative calendar approaches, now is a good time to review the status and progress of key healthcare-related bills. Healthcare continues to foster opportunities for bipartisan agreement on critical issues that impact physicians and all Californians.
AB 1041 (Bennett, D-Ventura) Healthcare Coverage: Healthcare Provider Credentials
- Description: Sponsored by the Physician Association of California (PAC), AB 1041 aims to streamline the process insurers use to verify provider qualifications, reduce delays in their credentialing process, and ensure accurate provider directories, making it easier for patients to access qualified care by more promptly accessing the physicians they need.
- Status: Bill was heard and passed out of the Assembly Health Committee and the Appropriations Committee with bipartisan support.
- Next Steps: The bill passed through the Assembly Floor and was ordered to the Senate for hearing.
AB 408 (Berman, D-San Jose) Physician Health and Wellness Program
- Description: Sponsored by the Medical Board of California (MBC), the bill proposes a Physician Health and Wellness Program to support doctors with substance use or health issues, helping them get treatment in a confidential manner. The initiative seeks to reduce stigma and revise previous legislative attempts to create such a program, aligning it with evidence-based best practices to encourage physician participation and enhance patient safety.
- Status: Bill was heard and passed out of Assembly Business and Professions, Assembly Judiciary, and Assembly Appropriations committees with strong bipartisan support.
- Next Steps: The bill also passed through the Assembly and was ordered to the Senate for hearing.
AB 985 (Ahrens, D-Santa Clara) Anesthesiologist Assistant Practice Act
- Description: Sponsored by the California Society of Anesthesiologists (CSA), the bill requires individuals pursuing certification to meet specific qualifications. AB 985 requires anesthesiologist assistants to work under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist, who must be physically present and immediately available on the premises. Additionally, anesthesiologist assistants may assist in developing and implementing care plans under the anesthesiologist's oversight.
- Status: Bill was heard and passed out of Assembly Business and Professions (17-0) and Assembly Appropriations (15-0) committees with strong bipartisan support.
- Next Steps: The bill also passed through the Assembly and was ordered to the Senate.
AB 967 (Valencia, D-Anaheim) Physicians and Surgeons: Licensure Expedite Fee
- Description: Sponsored by the California Medical Association (CMA), the bill aims to address the urgent need to expand California’s primary care workforce by establishing an optional fee for out-of-state physicians to quickly obtain a medical license to practice here. The bill does not change any existing licensure requirements and instead, implements a list of additional requirements for expedited status and an additional fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
- Status: Bill was heard and passed out of Assembly Business and Professions Committee
and the Appropriations Committee. - Next Steps: The bill also passed through the Assembly and was ordered to the Senate.
AB 539 (Schiavo, D-Chatsworth) Extended Prior Authorization for Medical Services
- Description: Sponsored by the CMA, the bill requires a prior authorization for a healthcare service to remain valid for a period of at least one year, or throughout the course of the prescribed treatment, if less than one year.
- Status: Bill was heard and passed out of Assembly Health (12-0) and Assembly Appropriations (11-0). While there were no recorded Nays, Republican members stayed
off the bill. - Next Steps: The bill passed through the Assembly and is in the Senate Health Committee for hearing.
SB 351 (Cabaldon, D-Sacramento) Protecting Medical and Dental Care Decision Independence
- Description: Sponsored by the CMA, this bill prohibits a private equity group or hedge fund, as defined, involved in any manner with a physician or dental practice doing business in this state from interfering with the professional judgment of physicians or dentists in making healthcare decisions and exercising power over specified actions, including, among other things, determining what diagnostic tests are appropriate for a particular condition. It also allows the Attorney General to enforce the law through court actions and recover legal costs.
- Status: Bill was heard and passed out of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development, Senate Judiciary, and Senate Appropriations committees.
- Next Steps: The bill passed through the Senate and was ordered to the Assembly.
While there are many additional healthcare-related bills this cycle, this list provides a comprehensive example of the issues being addressed this session.
For more details on bills listed, please visit the state’s legislative information website:
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Gabriela Villanueva is CAP’s Government and External Affairs Analyst. Questions or comments related to this article should be directed to GVillanueva@CAPphysicians.com.