The Assembly yesterday unanimously approved a bill (AB 369) ensuring that patients can complete some treatments despite changes in insurance coverage. It goes now to the governor’s desk.
AB 369 by Assembly member Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) would make sure patients get completion of treatment for some types of conditions, even when insurance coverage is terminated due to market changes related to the Affordable Care Act.
The bill first was introduced at the start of January and has moved through both houses quickly — it received unanimous approval on two floor votes, as well as yesterday’s concurrence vote in the Assembly. It’s an urgency bill, meaning it needed at least a two-thirds vote.
“This bill is needed for many who must have their care completed without disruption,” Pan said. “I urge the governor to sign [the bill] quickly so that these patient protections can be in place immediately for those who are in need.”
The Affordable Care Act has higher coverage standards than many individual-market plans of previous years. This bill was prompted by the cancellation of some individual-market policies because of higher ACA standards. People with those individual policies likely would get better coverage under the ACA, but this measure makes sure there isn’t a gap in that care — something health insurers also have said they want.