California Legislative Updates
Suspense Hearings
Thursday, May 14, both the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees met and dispensed with their respective Suspense Calendars, the list of all bills with a fiscal impact on the state. Especially considering the fiscal situation the state faces this year and likely the next few, there was some expectation that [...]
Health Care Initiatives
At its meeting next week, the CSAP Board will consider two initiatives that will most likely be on the November ballot. CMA is now encouraging all component medical societies and specialty organizations to join in opposition to these two measures that are bad for members and all California patients. The Health [...]
CSAP Board Chair Dr. Mina Hah Testifies
CSAP Board Chairwoman Doctor Mina Hah delivered powerful testimony to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee this week on AB 2249 (Irwin) Cannabis: labels, packaging, and manufacturing. AB 2249 establishes a definition of “attractive to children” for purposes of prohibited advertising, marketing, packaging, and labeling of cannabis and cannabis products; requires the Department of Cannabis [...]
Health Care Engagement Act
Last week, the CSAP newsletter covered the Health Care Endangerment Act. We are following up to confirm the proposed cap, which would be $450,000. The Health Care Endangerment Act would impact thousands of physician leaders and other health care leaders at hospitals and in physician groups. The measure places arbitrary pay caps, the [...]
Legislature Returns from Spring Recess
Below is a list of bills among those that CSAP has taken positions on that will be heard in their First House policy committees in the next month. SB 987 (Weber Pierson) - SB 987 would establish the California Health Access Fund to ensure that state savings resulting from Medi-Cal coverage [...]
AI and Mental Health Care: New Guardrails Proposed
State Senator Steve Padilla has introduced SB 903, a bill that would prohibit artificial intelligence from providing or advertising “therapy” unless a licensed mental health professional is responsible for the care. The legislation responds to the growing use of AI-powered therapy tools and ongoing concerns about patient safety amid high demand [...]