BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1954
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB
1954 (Burke)
As Amended May 9, 2016
Majority vote
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|Committee |Votes|Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Health |14-4 |Wood, Maienschein, |Lackey, Patterson, |
| | |Bonilla, Burke, |Steinorth, Waldron |
| | |Campos, Chiu, | |
| | |Dababneh, Gomez, | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |Roger Hernández, | |
| | |Nazarian, Olsen, | |
| | |Rodriguez, Santiago, | |
| | |Thurmond | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Appropriations |15-5 |Gonzalez, Bloom, |Bigelow, Gallagher, |
| | |Bonilla, Bonta, |Jones, Obernolte, |
| | |Calderon, Chang, |Wagner |
| | |Daly, Eggman, Eduardo | |
| | |Garcia, McCarty, | |
| | |Holden, Quirk, | |
| | |Santiago, Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
AB 1954
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| | | | |
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SUMMARY: Creates the Direct Access to Reproductive Health Care
Act which prohibits health care service plans or health
insurance policies from requiring an enrollee or insured to
receive a referral before receiving coverage of services for
reproductive or sexual health care. Defines reproductive and
sexual health care by reference to existing law as specified.
Exempts specialized health care service plan contracts or any
health care service plan that is governed by the Medi-Cal
Benefits Program.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, costs in the range of $50,000 per year to the
Department of Managed Health Care and minor costs to the
California Department of Insurance for ensuring and enforcing
compliance. The Assembly Appropriations Committee also notes
that while this bill could slightly increase utilization of
reproductive and sexual health care in the private health care
market, it does not appear to result in a noticeable premium
impact. Although access to some of these services without a
referral varies by plan, the services are covered under current
law.
COMMENTS: California has a long history of, and commitment to,
expanding access to services that aim to reduce the risk of
unintended pregnancies, improve reproductive and sexual health
outcomes, and reduce costs. The Legislature has also passed
measures to help health plan enrollees and insureds access to
timely health care by setting standards and policies regarding
wait times for an appointment. This bill allows patients in
commercial health plans to obtain family planning and sexual
health services without referrals from other providers,
including advanced practice clinicians, like nurse practitioners
and certified nurse-midwives. It is hereby the intent of the
AB 1954
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Legislature in enacting this act to build on current state and
federal law to increase timely, equal, and direct access to
time-sensitive and comprehensive reproductive and sexual health
care services for enrollees in health care service plans or
insureds under health insurance policies.
The California Family Health Council (CFHC), sponsor of this
bill, writes that commercial plans operating in California vary
in terms of referral policies and this variance has created a
patchwork of coverage and access to time-sensitive reproductive
health services. The CFHC also states that requiring referrals
triggers potential confidentiality concerns that lead to further
delays in obtaining care and for women seeking abortion
services, delays in referrals can delay them from receiving
time-sensitive information and services. Finally, CFHC notes
that this bill would remove unnecessary administrative burdens
that cause delays in care, and level the playing field to create
greater, more equitable access to services without referrals.
This bill is co-sponsored by CFHC and the California Latinas for
Reproductive Justice and is supported by other groups.
The California Association of Health Plans, the Association of
California Life and Health Insurance Companies, and America's
Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) were opposed to a prior version of
this bill and contended that health insurance mandates threaten
efforts of all health care stakeholders to provide consumers
with meaningful health care choices and affordable coverage
options. Additionally, AHIP writes that California already
requires direct access to obstetricians and gynecologists for
all women's health care services, including reproductive and
sexual health care services.
AB 1954
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The California Catholic Conference (CCC) states that this bill
goes a step further than current law in reducing the standard of
health care for women and girls because it would bypass the
referral process in the health care system. The CCC states that
this bill would not be in the best interest of women,
nonetheless young girls who are generally less informed about
their own reproductive and sexual health care. The California
Right to Life Committee, Inc. states that this bill appears to
be an attempt to secure a prominent position for Planned
Parenthood and is detrimental to women's and children's health,
irresponsible spending of health care dollars and an actual
barrier to the betterment of lives.
Analysis Prepared by:
Kristene Mapile / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN:
0002872