California Lawmakers Proposed 72 ACA-Related Bills in 2014
California was one of five states last year where lawmakers introduced at least 50 bills related to the Affordable Care Act, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, Center for Public Integrity reports (Schulte, Center for Public Integrity, 1/21).
National Findings
Overall, more than 700 ACA-related state bills were filed across the U.S. in 2014.
Of the 75 bills that passed, two-thirds were aimed at advancing the law.
Meanwhile, lawmakers introduced about 200 bills aimed at dismantling the law, 25 of which sought a full repeal of the law. The majority of the bills attacking the ACA did not pass (Ferris, The Hill, 1/21).
In addition to California, four states considered 50 or more ACA-related bills last year:
- Hawaii;
- Illinois;
- New York; and
- Washington (Center for Public Integrity, 1/21).
Details of ACA-Related Bills in Calif.
In total, California lawmakers introduced 72 ACA-related bills in 2014 having to do with:
- Authorization, planning and funding;
- Challenges, opt-outs and alternatives;
- Expansion of Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program;
- The health insurance exchange;
- Health insurance reform;
- Revisions to health reform, other than Medi-Cal expansion;
- Outreach and enrollment; and
- "Other" ACA issues.
California had the most ACA-related measures introduced in a single state.
Of the 72 bills in California:
- 28 were enacted;
- 26 are pending;
- Nine failed;
- Five were vetoed; and
- Four were adopted (NCSL database, 12/16/14).