Sacramento, Calif. — Sweeping legislative changes in California, championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last month, are set to transform health care accessibility and safety, impacting everything from fertility treatments to the sale of menstrual products. These laws reflect California’s commitment to expanding quality health services while enhancing consumer protection and equity within the state’s medical systems.
One of the most significant changes comes in the realm of fertility treatment. New legislation mandates large insurance companies to cover the costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. This includes up to three egg retrievals and an unlimited number of embryo transfers, greatly benefiting the LGBTQ+ community and same-sex couples by broadening the definition of “infertility” to include those who are unable to conceive without medical intervention.
Implementation of this law is anticipated by July 2025. It is expected to provide substantial relief to millions of Californians, making fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) more accessible and affordable.
Concurrently, another groundbreaking law targets the composition of menstrual products. Starting January 1, 2029, the production and sale of tampons and other menstrual items containing harmful perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will be banned in the state. Manufacturers must comply by providing transparent product details and registering with the Department of Toxic Substances Control by July 2029, or face stringent penalties, proceeds of which will benefit the T.A.M.P.O.N. Act Fund established to support enforcement of this law.
Additionally, California is tackling disparities in healthcare with new mandates aimed at reducing maternal mortality among Black women. The law enforces comprehensive “evidence-based implicit bias training” for healthcare professionals across the state, particularly those involved in perinatal care. Facilities must document their compliance with these training protocols and report to the state Attorney General’s office, ensuring accountability and adherence.
Against the backdrop of a rapidly aging population, California has also enacted a suite of twelve bills to aid in the management of Alzheimer’s disease. These legislations equip police, doctors, and healthcare providers with specialized training to deal effectively with Alzheimer’s patients, particularly those who might wander or display unpredictable behaviors.
The state is broadening its horizon in the treatment of substance use disorders as well. New statutes will allow a more extensive network of facilities, including mental health rehabilitation centers and psychiatric health facilities, to provide 24-hour inpatient care. This response caters to the urgency of increasing hospital bed availability for patients struggling with severe substance use disorders.
In a move to enhance communication for the visually impaired, pharmacies across California will soon be required to provide accessible prescription medication labels. Patients who are blind or have low vision can request labels in various formats, such as large print, braille, or text-to-speech technology, ensuring they have access to critical medication information.
Furthermore, the state has also passed a law to integrate donor breast milk into more healthcare plans, treating it as essential coverage under commercial insurance. This initiative is particularly vital for infants with below-normal birth weights who cannot be nourished by their parents’ milk, aiming to mitigate preventable illnesses like necrotizing enterocolitis that disproportionately affect Black and Latino children.
These new laws collectively underscore California’s proactive stance in addressing both the medical needs and the rights of its diverse population, paving the way for other states to consider similar reforms in pursuit of better healthcare equity and effectiveness.