Health Plans
A measure (SB 1553) by Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) was amended to bar health plans from basing coverage decisions on whether admission to a health care facility was voluntary or on how the member was transported to the facility (Bill text, 7/14). The bill is before the Assembly Appropriations Committee (Bill status, 7/14).
AB 54 by Dymally has been sent to Gov. Schwarzenegger for consideration (Bill status, 7/14). Under the legislation, group health plans would be required to include acupuncture as a covered benefit (Bill text, 3/3).