Lara reaffirms commitment to enforcing state health insurance laws amid federal rollbacks

To protect Californians' health insurance coverage in the face of continued attacks by the federal administration on the rights and access to health care for historically disadvantaged and vulnerable populations, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today issued a formal Notice to all health insurers in the state.

His consumer protection action reaffirms the California Department of Insurance's unwavering commitment to enforcing all state laws that protect consumers' rights to equitable, accessible, culturally competent health care.

"Californians deserve health care that is inclusive, does not discriminate, and is protected by state law," said Lara. "My department is committed to upholding every legal safeguard in place to ensure that all communities, especially those historically left behind, continue to receive the coverage and care they are entitled to under California law."

The Notice reminds insurers that all state consumer protection laws remain in effect, including coverage and antidiscrimination requirements for women, students, youth, immigrants, people of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Lara emphasized that California's robust consumer protections remain firmly in place and are fully enforceable. Health insurers are required to comply in full.

"The Trump administration's attacks on healthcare access are not just reckless — they're dangerous, discriminatory and morally indefensible," said Equality California Executive Director

"These policies are designed to intimidate and exclude—targeting women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and people living with HIV. In moments like these, California must lead — and we are deeply grateful to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for standing firm in the face of dangerous federal overreach. His unwavering commitment to enforcing our state's strong nondiscrimination protections ensures that all Californians can continue to access the care they need and deserve."

Key laws that Commissioner Lara and the Department are ensuring compliance by health insurers, include, but are not limited to:

SB 923 (Wiener, Chapter 822, Statutes of 2022)

The Transgender, Gender Diverse or Intersex Inclusive Care Act guidance requires trans-inclusive cultural competency training for insurer staff that are in direct contact with insureds.

SB 523 (Leyva, Chapter 60, Statutes of 2022)

The Contraceptive Equality Act mandates, in part, that all health insurers must provide point-of-sale-coverage for all over-the-contraceptives without a prescription, patient cost sharing, or medical management restrictions and requires that they cover any clinical services associated with the provision or use of contraceptives.

AB 904 (Calderon, Chapter 349, Statutes of 2023)

The Maternal and Infant Health Equality Program requires health insurers to develop a maternal and infant health equality program to address racial health disparities in maternal and infant health.

AB 1823 (Bryan, Chapter 688, Statutes of 2022)

AB 1823 ensures that the health insurance coverage students enroll in through institutions of higher education comply with most of the same rules that apply to the individual health insurance market, including all essential health benefits, basic health care services, preventive care services, antidiscrimination requirements, and other consumer protection rules.

SB 855 (Wiener, Chapter 151, Statutes of 2020)

The Mental Health Parity Act expands coverage requirements, and imposes utilization management parameters for all health insurance policies.

"California has led the way in passing laws to protect health care consumers and it's vital that we continue to strongly enforce implementation of these laws so Californians get their full benefits," said Amanda McAllister-Wallner, executive director of Health Access California, the statewide health care consumer advocacy coalition. "While our health care is at risk from federal attacks, we appreciate that Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is committed to safeguarding our vital consumer protections. California health insurers are on notice to keep abiding by state law so all California communities have access to culturally competent health care, reproductive care, and mental health services."

In addition, Lara and the department remind health insurers of existing California laws protecting reproductive freedom and access to life-saving medications namely:

Coverage for Abortion and Abortion-Related Health Care Services

Reminds health insurers following the Dobbs v. Jackson decision about California insurance laws protecting reproductive freedom.

HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Reminds health insurers following the Braidwood decision of their obligation to provide continued access to medically necessary and essential preventive health services, such as PrEP, as required by state law, and outpatient prescription antiretroviral drugs for preventing HIV without prior authorization or step therapy requirements.