Policy Briefs

Policy at a Glance

IHPL develops informative policy briefs regarding pertinent bills being considered by the California State Legislature or the United States Congress. The briefs review the specifics of the bills, examining supporters and opponents, their rationale, and the bills' implications for Seventh-day Adventist health systems. The briefs are available for viewing below. To access previous issues, please visit our archive.

February 2026. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148)

This brief covers some of the key provisions relevant to the Department of Health and Human Services in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148), which was signed into law on February 3, 2026.

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January 2026. Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act (S.1320 and H.R.2717)

This brief looks at the Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act, which aims to address these research needs and improve menopause-related healthcare for servicewomen and female veterans.

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December 2025. Key Health-Related Bills Passed in CA in 2025

This brief provides an overview of some of the health-related bills passed during California’s 2025 Legislative Session that aim to decrease cost, streamline processes and improve access.

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November 2025. Health Care Coverage: Prior Authorizations (SB 306)

This brief provides an overview of the concerns regarding prior authorizations and the measures outlined in SB 306 to eliminate the need for prior authorizations in certain cases.

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October 2025. Save Healthcare Workers Act (H.R. 3178)

This brief provides an overview of how the Save Healthcare Workers Act (H.R. 3178) aims to protect healthcare workers from workplace violence.

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September 2025. Bipartisan Health Care Act (S. 891)

This brief provides an overview of the proposed extensions for telehealth flexibilities, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, and comprehensive care improvements in S. 891.

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August 2025. Pupil Health: School-Based Health Services and School-Based Mental Health Services (A.B. 322)

This brief provides an overview of the benefits of early health interventions, the California School-Based Health Alliance, and efforts by AB 322 to expand access to health services in schools.

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July 2025. Health Care Coverage: Treatment for Infertility and Fertility Services (SB 729)

This brief provides an overview of California's efforts to expand and protect fertility treatment services through SB 729 which was originally scheduled to go into effect this month.

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June 2025. Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 6960)

This brief explains the need for improved pediatric readiness in emergency departments and how the Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 6960) provides necessary funding to improve emergency medical services for children.

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May 2025. Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 1968)

This brief highlights the funding extensions for some of the federal health programs as outlined in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (HR 1968).

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April 2025. Autism CARES Act of 2024 (H.R. 7213)

With April being Autism Awareness Month, this brief provides an overview of the Autism CARES Act of 2024 (H.R. 7213) along with some background information.

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March 2025. Key Executive Orders Impacting Health

This brief provides an overview of key executive orders impacting health and healthcare that have been issued by the Trump Administration as of February 26, 2025.

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February 2025. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment (SB 1320)

This brief provides an overview of mental health and substance use in California, the California Naloxone Distribution Program, and key provisions outlined in SB 1320.

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January 2025. Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (H.R. 4758)

This brief provides an overview of the provisions outlined in Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (H.R. 4758) along with some information about the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the California Children’s Services.

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December 2024. Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 (H.R. 7623)

This brief provides an overview of the impact of telehealth on quality of healthcare services and efforts to extend telehealth flexibilities through the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 (H.R. 7623).

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November 2024. Maternal Healthcare Access and Screening: SB 1300 and AB 1936

This brief provides an overview of the current state of maternity care in California, the California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review, and the state's latest legislative efforts to address maternity ward closures and maternal mental health.

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October 2024. Health Propositions on the 2024 California Ballot

This brief provides an overview of the health-related propositions on the 2024 California ballot.

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September 2024. Medi-Cal: Medically Supportive Food and Nutrition Interventions (A.B. 1975)

This brief provides an overview of AB 1975, California's bill on providing Medi-Cal coverage for medically supportive food and nutrition interventions, along with additional healthy food incentive programs in California.

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August 2024. Health (SB 159)

This brief provides an overview of some of the provisions of SB 159, California's latest budget trailer bill for healthcare,

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July 2024. Action for Dental Health Act of 2023 (H.R. 3843)

This brief provides an overview of the Action for Dental Health Act of 2023 (H.R. 3843), which aims to continue grants for important oral health initiatives through fiscal year 2028.

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June 2024. Emergency Services: Psychiatric Emergency Medical Conditions (AB 1316)

This brief provides an overview of the current state of behavioral health in California and the proposed changes to psychiatric emergency medical care by AB 1316.

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May 2024. Consolidated Appropriations Acts for 2024

This brief provides an overview of some of the housing, education, health, and labor provisions outlined in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 4366) and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 2882), which are packages of federal spending bills that allocate funding for government agencies and programs until the end of fiscal year 2024.

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April 2024. Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking

Policy Briefs

Policy at a Glance

Policy Briefs

February 2026. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148)

January 2026. Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act (S.1320 and H.R.2717)

December 2025. Key Health-Related Bills Passed in CA in 2025

November 2025. Health Care Coverage: Prior Authorizations (SB 306)

October 2025. Save Healthcare Workers Act (H.R. 3178)

September 2025. Bipartisan Health Care Act (S. 891)

August 2025. Pupil Health: School-Based Health Services and School-Based Mental Health Services (A.B. 322)

July 2025. Health Care Coverage: Treatment for Infertility and Fertility Services (SB 729)

June 2025. Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 6960)

May 2025. Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (H.R. 1968)

April 2025. Autism CARES Act of 2024 (H.R. 7213)

March 2025. Key Executive Orders Impacting Health

February 2025. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment (SB 1320)

January 2025. Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (H.R. 4758)

December 2024. Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 (H.R. 7623)

November 2024. Maternal Healthcare Access and Screening: SB 1300 and AB 1936

October 2024. Health Propositions on the 2024 California Ballot

September 2024. Medi-Cal: Medically Supportive Food and Nutrition Interventions (A.B. 1975)

August 2024. Health (SB 159)

July 2024. Action for Dental Health Act of 2023 (H.R. 3843)

June 2024. Emergency Services: Psychiatric Emergency Medical Conditions (AB 1316)

May 2024. Consolidated Appropriations Acts for 2024

April 2024. Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking

March 2024. California’s FY 2024-25 Budget Proposal

February 2024. Further Additional Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 (H.R. 2872)

January 2024. New California Health Policies Going into Effect on January 1, 2024