a pharmaceutical surplus program, first passed in 2005 and expanded in 2012 and 2016; although as of 2018, 38 states had laws for such programs, in over a dozen states these were nonoperational. As of 2018, California had an operational program and in 2016 a nonprofit surplus pharmacy opened
a ban on copay coupon discounts when an equivalent generic is available for cheaper, passed in 2017 and subject to various exceptions
Division 107, Chapter 2.5 contains a "charity care" law for fair hospital pricing
California End of Life Option Act in Division 1. Section 443 - 443.22
laws regarding vaccine exemptions, including in 2015 California Senate Bill 277, which removed a personal belief exemption to vaccines for children public schools, and in 2019 SB 276, which further limited exemptions
In Division 2, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 in Division 2. Chapter 2.2., 1340 - 1399.864, which is enforced by the California Department of Managed Health Care and regulates most health insurance in California, although some plans are regulated by the California Department of Insurance with sometimes similar "companion" statutes in the California Insurance Code. Within this section are various laws affecting transparency and mandated benefits for health insurance plans, which are part of a broader movement among states including:
#a standard formulary jointly developed with the CDI which was passed in 2014
#for prescription prior authorization, SB 866 passed in 2011 mandated a standardization of forms jointly developed with CDI which became effective by 2015 with Form 61-211; this was further amended by SB 282 in 2016 which allowed prescribers flexibility to use other methods such as the SCRIPT system
#a limit to prescription drug cost-sharing first passed as AB 339 in 2015 and then extended by SB 1021 in 2018
#like all states, California mandates coverage for certain benefits, which are related but distinct from the essential health benefits mandated by the PPACA; these mandates are reviewed by the California Health Benefits Review Program which advises the legislature on proposed mandates
laws regarding cost transparency include an all-payer claims database with possible explorations into single payer as well as cost transparency on prescription drugs
Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, although global warming related provisions appear in various areas, e.g. state agency report card mandates in Government Code section 12890 - 12893
the Sexual Health Education Accountability Act passed in 2008, complementing laws in the California Education Code regarding sex education, which began with HIV prevention in 1990s followed by California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act in 2003
Division 2 licensing
Division 2 contains licensing requirements for a variety of healthcare facilities. Physicians are licensed by the Medical Board of California. Chapter 2 enumerates 13 types of facilities in Section 1250.1 including hospitals, skilled nursing, and hospice; these are generally regulated by the Licensing and Certification Division of the California Department of Public Health. Outpatient ambulatory surgery center facility licensing per Chapter 1 can vary, with three options: Medicare certification and regulation by the Licensing and Certification Division of the California Department of Public Health; accreditation by one of five different accrediting agencies and oversight by the Medical Board of California; or state licensure, which is uncommon. The California Adult Day Health Care Act of 1977 in Division 2, Chapter 3.3 which created a system to provide healthcare during the day without committing to a nursing home has been cited as a model for the nation. Chapter 5 regulates the use of animals for research with a 1951 law, in practice, as of 2017 many laboratories are exempt from state law due to receiving federal funds or USDA regulation.
Complaints and investigations
The grantor of licenses, which in the case of many facilities is the California Department of Public Health, is responsible for investigating complaints and issuing fines. It has been criticized for lack of investigations and limited fines. In 2014, lawmakers held a hearing after investigative reporters raised concerns. Cases from 2001 were reportedly still open as of 2014.
