JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. HUNDREDS OF PHYSICIANS JOINED STATE LAWMAKERS TODAY TO BACK A NEW LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE. IT’S CALLED PRIORITIZING PATIENTS, EMPOWERING PHYSICIANS. SUPPORTERS SAY IT AIMS TO CUT RED TAPE IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT CAN DELAY CARE. THE BILLS ADDRESS PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, WHICH REQUIRES DOCTORS TO GET APPROVAL FROM A HEALTH PLAN BEFORE THEY CAN CARE FOR PATIENTS. NO ONE BATTLING A CHRONIC ILLNESS SHOULD HAVE TO FIGHT THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY JUST TO KEEP GETTING THE TREATMENT THAT’S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED. BUT RIGHT NOW, THAT’S THE REALITY FOR TOO MANY PEOPLE. WE’VE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN WHEN CARE IS DELAYED OR DENIED. PATIENTS ARE THE ONES WHO SUFFER. AND WHY? BECAUSE SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE PRIORITIZED PROFITS OVER THE PEOPLE. SO HERE ARE THE BILLS IN THE PACKAGE. ONE REQUIRES APPEALS TO BE HANDLED BY A PROVIDER OF THE SAME SPECIALTY. ANOTHER EXTENDS AN APPROVED AUTHORIZATION. SO IT’S VALID FOR A YEAR. A THIRD REQUIRES HEALTH PLANS TO RESPOND TO A REQUEST WITHIN 24 HOURS. AND ANOTHER REQUIRES HEALTH PLANS TO STOP REQUIRI
California bills aim to cut red tape around health care access
Updated: 9:35 PM PDT Apr 9, 2025
Physicians and state lawmakers gathered at the California Capitol on Wednesday, advocating for a legislative package that could cut delays to health care.Supporters of the bill package say it aims to address prior authorization—which essentially requires doctors to get approval from a health plan before they can care for patients. The California Medical Association says plans requiring prior authorization can delay care and sometimes lead to serious adverse events, including hospitalizations, permanent injury or body damage, or even death.Learn more in the video player above.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Physicians and state lawmakers gathered at the California Capitol on Wednesday, advocating for a legislative package that could cut delays to health care.
Supporters of the bill package say it aims to address prior authorization—which essentially requires doctors to get approval from a health plan before they can care for patients.
The California Medical Association says plans requiring prior authorization can delay care and sometimes lead to serious adverse events, including hospitalizations, permanent injury or body damage, or even death.
Learn more in the video player above.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel