California Bill: AB 536

Bill Summary

CA AB536 amends California's Health and Safety Code and Insurance Code to expand mandatory health insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening tests. The bill requires health care service plans and health insurance policies to cover approved screening tests without cost sharing if they meet FDA approval and CMS coverage requirements, are FDA-approved and included in American Cancer Society guidelines, or receive an A or B grade from the United States Preventive Services Task Force. The bill also mandates coverage without cost sharing for any required follow-up colonoscopy after a positive screening result. Previously, California law only required coverage for screenings meeting USPSTF A or B grade standards, so this expands the range of covered screening methods available to patients.

Why It Matters to MAHA

CA AB536 advances MAHA values by expanding patient access to a broader range of screening options while reducing financial barriers to preventive care. By requiring coverage of FDA-approved screening tests that meet rigorous medical standards, the bill empowers patients to choose among multiple evidence-based screening methods rather than being limited to a single approach. The removal of cost-sharing requirements for follow-up colonoscopy ensures that patients who screen positive can access necessary diagnostic care without financial hardship. This legislation promotes health freedom and patient autonomy by giving both patients and physicians more options while maintaining rigorous safety and efficacy standards, and it increases transparency by requiring coverage based on objective medical criteria rather than arbitrary restrictions.