The legislation creating the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was crafted to address multiple aspects of healthcare access and delivery. On the issue of access to care, a concern over the shortage of physicians, especially here in California, has been part of the conversation for some time.

A rarely mentioned entity that was created by language in the Affordable Care Act is the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation, housed within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Last year, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 72, which forbids balance billing for out-of-network care at in-network hospitals or facilities. The law took effect July 1 of this year.

The cost of prescription drugs continues to be a topic generating action in the California Legislature as some policymakers consider drug costs a material component of high healthcare costs.

Every year, the California Legislature is required to pass the state’s budget by the constitutional deadline of June 15.