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California Assembly Bill AB 41: Killed for 2016
Update: Feb. 2016
AB41 (which would make a version of Section 2706 state law in California) has been withdrawn by its sponsor, Edwin Chau, 2nd term Democrat from the 49th District (east of Los Angeles and Pasadena). Despite moving through several assembly committees in 2015, and being held over for 2016, the bill, developed in great part by the state’s chiropractic association, is effectively killed.
This is a move that surprised and disconcerted Section 2706 advocates. Assemblyman Chau’s office told IHPC, that the bill apparently drew considerable objections from the state’s Dept. of Managed Health Care over these issues:
– The bill would lead to significant cost increases
– Insufficient guidance from federal government about enforcement
– There is concern as to how HHS wants to have the bill implemented
Update, June 1, 2015
This bill was re-introduced into the Assembly in January of 2015 and was referred to the Health Committee Jan. 22. Assemblyman Chau is chair of the Committee on Housing and Community Development and a strong adherent of chiropractic care..
The bill replicated the language and intent of Section 2706 of the ACA, and would have added provisions to the state’s Health and Safety Code and to the Insurance Code. The California Chiropractic Association (CCA), originally described the purpose of the bill:
“AB 41 will codify into California statute non-discrimination language identical to that contained in Section 2706 (a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (provider non-discrimination). Specifically, this measure would prohibit a health care service plan or health insurer from discriminating against any health care provider who is acting within the scope of that provider’s license or certification.
“Assembly Member Ed Chau is a staunch chiropractic supporter. And with his support, CCA is looking forward to making provider non-discrimination a reality in California.”
Click here for the text of AB-41.
This article in the Sacramento Bee written by Rep. Chau when the bill was introduced describes the benefits of its provisions to citizens. Co-author is David Benevento, a former president of the California Chiropractic Association.
Reference, Contacts and Complaint Submission
Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
Dave Jones
Elected, 2010
Former Member, State Assembly, 2004-2020; Chair Health Committee
State Contact Information Page
Consumer Help and Complaints Office
Consumer Health Insurance Office
California Chiropractic Association
Consumer Voter Action Page on Non-Discrimination Bill, AB-41
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