In Review: On Monday, April 15, the Senate Business and Professions Committee held a hearing on SB 966 (BoP licensing, ban on spread pricing, AWP, accreditation, delinking, private right of action). The bill author, Senator Scott Wiener (D), agreed to the committee amendments, which included changing the licensing body to the CA Department of Insurance and deleting the private right of action. Sen. Wiener also indicated his intention to amend the accreditation language and the AWP provision. With the adoption of the committee amendments, the bill advanced on a vote of 12-0.

Up Next: The bill will be heard next by the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday, April 24. PCMA and member company representatives have been meeting with committee members and staff and are developing alternative language. PCMA is initiating a grassroots and digital ad campaign in opposition to SB 966. We have also been working to expand the role of our coalition partners in opposing the legislation.

If you have any questions, please contact Bill Head at bhead@pcmanet.org.