On August 15, 2024, lawmakers in the California State Senate and Assembly decided whether to advance or kill hundreds of bills based on their anticipated cost. Yesterday represented one of the final hurdles for bills making their way to the Governor’s desk. Below are CMA priority bills that cleared that hurdle and are continuing toward a final vote from the legislature and then to the Governor’s desk.

Prior Authorization: SB 516 by Sen. Nancy Skinner removes unnecessary prior authorizations; streamlines and modernizes the process for submitting and appealing prior authorization requests and provides transparency and data on health plan actions.

ER Violence: AB 977 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez provides parity in the penalty for violence committed against health care workers in emergency departments.  Health care workers should be provided the same protections, whether they are inside a hospital emergency department or elsewhere.

AI in Health Care: SB 1120 by Sen. Josh Becker, also known as the Physicians Make Decision Act, requires that physicians be the ones to make final decisions on what kind of treatments patients should receive, not artificial intelligence (AI). The bill strikes a commonsense balance that puts safeguards in place for automated decision tools without discouraging companies from using this new technology.

Physician Mental Health: AB 2164 by Assemblymember Marc Berman seeks to reduce stigma for physicians seeking mental health care by clarifying that licensing boards cannot require physicians to disclose their mental health conditions, including those for which they are receiving treatment, that do not impair their ability to practice medicine safely when applying for their license.

 Human Trafficking: SB 963 by Sen. Angelique Ashby requires emergency departments to implement programs to allow for the self-identification of human trafficking or domestic violence victims.

AB 815 by Assemblymember Jim Wood, which would have simplified and streamlined the physician credentialing process for health plans, was held in committee. CMA will continue to work with stakeholders in the fall to craft a legislative solution addressing the state's inefficient and time-consuming credentialing process.

For an up-to-date look at the status of the California Medical Association’s sponsored and supported legislative package and other legislation impacting California patients, the profession and public health, check out CMA’s Legislative Hot List.