January 08, 2026
What You Need to Know: Many new California health care laws took effect Jan. 1, 2026, including CMA-sponsored measures to curb misleading use of AI, protect independent physician judgment from corporate interference, and reduce unnecessary prior authorization. CMA’s free 2026 new laws report and a January 27 webinar provide practical guidance on what’s changed and what physicians should watch next.
A wide range of new California health care laws took effect Jan. 1, 2026, reshaping how physicians practice medicine and how patients access care. Many were sponsored or supported by the California Medical Association (CMA) and reflect CMA’s priorities: reducing administrative burdens, protecting the physician-patient relationship, and preserving equitable access to essential treatment.
Three CMA-sponsored measures are among the most significant changes this year.
AB 489 (Bonta) protects patients from misleading artificial intelligence by requiring clear disclosure when an AI tool is being used and prohibiting systems from misrepresenting themselves as licensed medical professionals.
SB 351 (Cabaldon) responds to concerns about private equity and corporate influence by reinforcing protections for independent physician clinical judgment and strengthening enforcement against the corporate practice of medicine, including empowering the Attorney General to take action when entities improperly interfere with care.
SB 306 (Becker) tackles one of the most persistent sources of delay and frustration in health care by giving regulators new authority to eliminate certain prior authorization requirements statewide on a code-by-code basis.
Several other laws taking effect this year will also have direct impact on patients and physician practices.
AB 144 safeguards vaccine access by allowing state public health officials to maintain broad immunization coverage requirements even if federal guidance narrows, helping ensure patients continue receiving recommended vaccines without cost-sharing barriers. For patients with diabetes,
SB 40 (Wiener) eliminates deductibles for prescription insulin under state-regulated plans and caps out-of-pocket costs at $35 for a 30-day supply, while the state’s CalRx initiative is now making generic insulin pens available at pharmacies for a recommended price of $11 per pen.
SB 729 (Menjivar) expands access to infertility care by requiring large group health plans issued on or after Jan. 1, 2026, to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including in vitro fertilization.
Helping Physicians Navigate What’s New
To support physicians as these changes roll out, CMA has published its annual roundup, “Significant New California Laws of Interest to Physicians for 2026,” a comprehensive, guide to the most important new laws affecting medical practice. The report is available at no cost to all interested parties.
CMA will also host a live educational webinar, New Laws Affecting Physicians 2026, on January 27, 2026, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. The one-hour program will review key provisions now in effect, highlight pending health legislation, and explain CMA legal resources available to members. The webinar will be presented by Sheirin Ghoddoucy, senior legal counsel and director of legal advocacy for CMA. The program is free to CMA members and their staff; members’ staff may contact [email protected] for a promotional code.