Policy Briefs | LLU Institute for Health Policy Leadership

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Policy at a Glance

IHPL develops informative policy briefs regarding bills before the State Legislature, many of which have gathered significant national attention. They review the specifics of pending bills, examining supporters and opponents, their rationale, and the bills' implication for Seventh-day Adventist health systems. The briefs are available for viewing below.

Policy Briefs

July 2019. Conscience Rule.

The federal government’s final rule, “Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights in Health Care; Delegations of Authority,” seeks to safeguard the moral and religious beliefs of medical institutions and workers.

June 2019. Public Option Proposals.

Two proposals in Congress will offer a Medicare-based public option in the health insurance marketplace to lower both premiums and health care costs by competing directly with private plans.

May 2019. Medicare-for-All Proposals.

Two Medicare-for-All proposals in Congress will expand Medicare to cover everyone, establishing a single national health insurance program and eliminating all private health insurance plans.

April 2019. Medical Procedures: Treatment or Intervention: Sex Characteristics of A Minor (SB 201)

California SB 201 proposes to ban medically unnecessary procedures on the sex characteristics of intersex minors until they can give informed consent.

March 2019. The Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2019

This new federal legislation would enable older adults and individuals with disabilities to access dental care under Medicare Part B.

February 2019. Surprise Out-of-Network Medical Bills

State and federal lawmakers are working to protect patients from unexpected medical bills. Currently, there is no federal legislation addressing the issue and only six states offer comprehensive protection against surprise medical bills.

January 2019. 2018 Vetoed Health Legislation in California

In this issue of 'Policy At A Glance', we provide a roundup of five health bills that garnered attention but were ultimately vetoed by the Governor in 2018.

December 2018. New 2019 California Public Health Legislation

In this issue of 'Policy At A Glance,' we will provide a roundup of six notable public health laws going into effect in 2019.

November 2018. New 2019 California Behavioral Health Legislation

In this issue of 'Policy At A Glance,' we will provide a roundup of five notable behavioral health bills going into effect in 2019.

November 2018. New 2019 California Oral Health Legislation

In this issue of 'Policy At A Glance,' we will provide a roundup of four notable oral health bills going into effect in 2019.

November 2018. New 2019 California Nutrition Legislation

In this issue of 'Policy At A Glance,' we will provide a roundup of three notable nutrition bills going into effect in 2019.

November 2018. New 2019 California Health Care Legislation

In this issue of 'Policy At A Glance,' we will provide a roundup of nine notable health care bills going into effect in 2019.

October 2018. Food Options: Plant-Based Meals (SB 1138)

SB 1138 requires health care facilities and state prisons to make plant-based meals available to patients and inmates.

September 2018. State and Federal Maternity Leave

Maternity leave is not the norm in the United States. In the absence of a uniform national policy, pregnant women use a patchwork of benefits to birth, recover, and bond with their child.

August 2018. New State Ballot Measures that Affect Health in the November 2018 General Election

Of the twelve propositions appearing on the upcoming ballot, four will affect health and health care. This issue of 'Policy At A Glance' will provide a summary of each.

July 2018. The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6)

The House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 6, a package of 57 bills addressing the nation’s current opioid epidemic.

June 2018. The Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2017 (S. 974/H.R 2212)

If passed, the federal legislation known as the CREATES Act of 2017 will promote market competition for pharmaceuticals by shortening the time of entry for biosimilars and bioequivalents.

June 2018. Hospital Patient Discharge Process: Homeless Patients (SB 1152)

California legislators are proposing that hospitals establish written homeless patient discharge policy and process.

May 2018. Children's Meals (SB 1192)

Senate Bill 1192 addresses childhood obesity by requiring restaurants to offer healthful beverages as the default for children's meals.

April 2018. California Health Care Cost, Quality, and Equity Commission (AB 3087)

Assembly Bill 3087 proposes to establish an independent state commission that will regulate health care costs by setting prices for hospitals, physicians, physician groups, health plans, and others.

April 2018. The 2018 Farm Bill Reauthorization

This policy brief examines the Farm Bill’s effect on food security and nutrition and the debate surrounding its reauthorization.

March 2018. Federal and State Changes to the 340B Drug Pricing Program

The 340B program was created to help safety-net providers care for their vulnerable patients. Starting this year, Medicare Part B will cut reimbursement for 340B drugs while California plans to eliminate Medicaid 340B drugs in 2019.

January 2018. California Food Legislation

This policy brief provides a summary of five notable state nutrition related bills: AB 323 CalFresh: Emergency Food Provider Referrals AB-841 Pupil nutrition: food and beverages: advertising: corporate incentive programs AB 1219 Food Donations SB 138 School Meal Programs: Free and Reduced-Price Meals: Universal Meal Service SB 282 CalFresh and CalWORKs

January 2018. California Behavioral Health Legislation

This policy brief provides a summary of five notable state behavioral health bills: AB 40 CURES Database Health Information Technology System AB 1048 Health Care Pain Management & Schedule II Drug Prescriptions AB 1340 CME: Mental & Physical Health Care Integration SB 374 Health Insurance: Discriminatory Practices: Mental Health SB 565 Mental Health: Involuntary Commitment

November 2017. New State Health Bills

In October, Governor Brown signed a number of health bills, many written in direct response to the uncertain future of the Affordable Care Act and its reform provisions at the federal level. This issue of Policy at a Glance provides a roundup of seven notable state health bills going into effect January 2018.

October 2017. Advance Care Planning

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began reimbursing for Advance Care Planning on January 1, 2016. While this is a valuable opportunity for millions of Medicare beneficiaries to discuss and document their wishes for end-of-life care, many health professionals are unaware of this new payment policy.

April 2017. New State & Federal Requirements for Hospital Observation Services

Starting in 2017, California hospitals must comply with two new state and federal requirements meant to protect patients under observation status.

January 2017. New 2017 California Health Legislation

California’s congress enacted 898 bills during its regular session in 2016. This issue of Policy At A Glance provides a roundup of seven notable state health laws going into effect in 2017.

October 2015. California Senate Bill 277 "Childhood Immunization"

SB 277 was introduced on February 19, 2015, after a measles outbreak in Disneyland, California. This outbreak affected 136 California residents and spread to at least half a dozen other states.

October 2015. Special Addendum: California Senate Bill 128 “The End of Life Option Act”

SB 128 passed the Senate in January, 2015 but stalled in the State Assembly after several Democrats from Southern California opposed the measure. SB 128 was then reintroduced as AB2X‑15 in a special legislative session convened to discuss Medi-Cal spending.

October 2015. California Senate Bill 128 "The End of Life Option Act"

Modeled after Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, SB 128 allows terminally ill, mentally competent, adult residents of California to request, obtain, and self-administer “aid-in-dying medication.”

August 2015. California Assembly Bill ABX2 No.12. "The Fetal Tissue Exploitation Prevention Act"

ABX2 12 primarily targets the compensation and funding streams for health clinics that furnish fetal tissue for medical research and typically also provide abortion services.