DME Bills in California

SB 1198 – Initiative to Remove Annual Benefit Limits on Durable Medical Equipment in Private Health Plans in California

California Senator Sheila Kuehl introduced SB 1198 on February 13, 2008, legislation crafted by DREDF that will prohibit private health insurers from limiting benefits for durable medical equipment. DREDF and Protection and Advocacy are working together to advocate for the bill’s enactment.

Executive Summary:
California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP). (2008). Analysis of Senate Bill 1198: Health Care Coverage: Durable Medical Equipment. Report to California State Legislature. Oakland, CA: CHBRP. 08-02

Full Report:
California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP). (2008). Analysis of Senate Bill 1198: Health Care Coverage: Durable Medical Equipment. Report to California State Legislature. Oakland, CA: CHBRP. 08-02.

6.6.08 Status Report
The California Senate Health Committee passed SB 1198 with a 10 to 0 vote on April 16, 2008.
The California Senate passed SB 1198 with a 27 to 8 vote on May 12, 2008.
The bill is scheduled to be heard by the Assembly Health Committee on June 24.
Read DREDF’s SB 1198 Support Letter (6.18.08)

9.1.08 Status Report
No action will be taken by the governor on SB 1198 until the California budget impasse is resolved.
An August 21, 2008 concurrence vote on SB 1198 in the California Senate was successful
The California Assembly passed SB 1198 on August 14, 2008.

9.30.08 Status Report
In a veto that favors maintaining the deep pockets of the insurance industry over the individual consumer, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed SB 1198, a bill with bipartisan support that would have ensured that group health insurance plans cover the costs of durable medical equipment in the same manner as other medical services.

Subsequent Bills
After SB 1198 was vetoed. DREDF worked with Disability Rights California and Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro to introduce AB 214 in 2009, and AB 754 in 2010. The bills would have mandated the coverage of medically necessary durable medical equipment by private insurance in California. Ultimately these bills were also vetoed, but in each case the California Legislative received an analysis that established the extremely small financial impact that broader DME coverage would have on the cost of insurance.

Full Report:
California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP). (2009). Analysis of Assembly Bill 214: Health Care Coverage: Durable Medical Equipment. Report to California State Legislature. Oakland, CA: CHBRP. 09-04.

Full Report:
California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP). (2010). Analysis of Assembly Bill 754: Durable Medical Equipment. Report to California State Legislature. Oakland, CA: CHBRP. 10-10.