Bill > SB32

This bill requires the Department of Managed Health Care, the Department of Insurance, and the State Department of Health Care Services to jointly develop and adopt standards for the geographic accessibility of perinatal units (medical units specializing in care for pregnant women and newborns) by July 1, 2027. The standards aim to ensure timely access to care for patients and will be based on Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) managed care plan standards, with consultation from stakeholders including medical professionals, health plans, consumers, and labor representatives. These stakeholders will specifically include groups like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the California Hospital Association, and various healthcare professionals such as registered nurses, nurse midwives, and licensed midwives. The departments may authorize alternative access standards or issue waivers to health plans. The provisions will become inoperative on July 1, 2033, and will be fully repealed on January 1, 2034. Because the bill could potentially create a new type of legal violation, it is considered a state-mandated local program, but no specific reimbursement is required. The goal is to improve geographic access to specialized perinatal healthcare across California.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB32