AB1041 — Item 14 is AB 1041, attributed to Bennett, and is voted on.
Flo Di Benedetto — Named as a supporter of AB 1041.
Dr. Joyne Lou — Dr. Joyne Lou testifies in support of AB 1041. She introduces herself as a practicing radiation oncologist in Eureka, Humboldt County, and explains that rural areas face physician shortages worsened by slow, inefficient credentialing processes. She says these delays can last four to six months, disrupt onboarding and coverage, and create barriers to health care access. She concludes by urging opponents of the bill to reconsider.
Flo D' Benedetto — Flo D' Benedetto testifies in support of AB 1041, identifying herself as the CEO of DeBenedetto Solutions and a health care attorney. She explains that credentialing is a specialty of hers and describes how physicians are burdened by having to complete multiple different forms. She argues that requiring a standardized form for health plans and insurance companies would significantly reduce this burden, especially for independent physicians. She also supports putting timelines on health plans and insurers to process applications more promptly, and concludes by urging an aye vote.
Nick Louises — Begins testimony on behalf of the California Association of Health Plans and says the group appreciates the bill's intent.
AB787 — AB 787 is presented as a bill to help patients more easily find in-network providers and obtain accurate, timely provider information from health plans and insurers. The author emphasizes that it will hold carriers accountable for prompt responses and ensure patients get the right care quickly, accurately, and fairly. A supporting witness then reinforces that the bill would improve access to provider directories and help consumers get assistance from health insurers and find providers faster.
AB787 — Item 12 is AB 787 and remains under consideration.
Sarah Sorokin — Sarah Sorokin is introduced as a witness in support of the bill and identified as an associate member of the National Union of Health Care Workers, with the discussion framing her clinical experience as relevant to the measure.
Harriganbo Eastman — Testifies in support on behalf of the Steinberg Institute.
Harley Stelser — Testifies in support on behalf of the California Behavioral Health Association.
Lizzo Seguera — Testifies in support on behalf of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services.
Jessica Caloza — Transcript says 'Patel, aye'; likely a mis-transcription of a committee member name, but uncertain.
AB4 — AB 4 is taken up and introduced as a bill to expand Covered California access regardless of immigration status. A witness speaks in support of the measure, and the discussion concludes with a request for support for AB 4.
AB4 — Item one on the add-on list is AB 4, attributed in the transcript to Arambula.
Anna Alvarez — Anna Alvarez, associated with Health Access California and the Health for All Coalition, is introduced and then speaks to present translated testimony on behalf of a community member. She identifies herself as an organizer and explains that the testimony concerns someone who would benefit from access to Covered California.
Beatrice Hernandez — Beatrice Hernandez is introduced as an impacted individual, then begins her testimony in support of AB 4, identifying herself as a Sacramento resident and explaining that her immigration status makes her ineligible.
Chloe Steck Hermosa — Introduced as available for questions on behalf of the California Immigrant Policy Center.
Beatrice Hernandez (impacted individual, anonymous testimony translated by Anna Alvarez) — Beatrice Hernandez explained that after losing Medi-Cal eligibility because her income is above the threshold, she remains unable to access Covered California due to her immigration status. She said that without coverage, even minor health problems can become major setbacks, affecting many workers across California. She framed health care as a human right and argued that, after paying thousands in state and federal taxes, she should have access to the state’s health care system.
Anonymous South Gate resident — The anonymous South Gate resident, an immigrant parent, testified that she chose to remain anonymous because of attacks on the immigrant community. She described how immigrants work hard for a better future but still struggle to access affordable medical care, often facing impossible choices between rent and a doctor’s visit. She emphasized that health care should not be a privilege and called for broader insurance access so families can receive timely, preventive care instead of waiting until problems become crises.
Christine Smith — Testified for Health Access California and noted co-sponsorship with the California Immigrant Policy Center.
Brian Mara Montes — Testified in strong support on behalf of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Carol Gonzalez — Testified on behalf of East Bay Organized for Political Equality in support.
Faith Lee — Testified for Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California in support.
Monica Madrid — Testified for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, also known as CHIRLA, in support.
Christopher Sanchez — Testified on behalf of Cares, the Central American Resource Center, in strong support.
Eric Barales — Testified on behalf of the California Faculty Association in support.
Kelly Brooks — Testified on behalf of the County Welfare Directors Association in support.
Kelly Brooks — Testifies on behalf of the County Health Executives Association of California in support.
Tweedo — Testified for the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center in support; name may be uncertain.
Tweedo — Testifies on behalf of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center in support; name may be uncertain.
Tim Madden — Testified representing the California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians in support.
Tim Madden — Tim Madden, representing the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, states that the organization is a co-sponsor of the bill and then defers his time to Dr. Graham.
Dennis Cuva Stromero — Testified with the California Primary Care Association in strong support.
AB29 — The committee takes up AB 29, authored by Arambula. The bill is described as allowing community health workers and doulas to receive Medi-Cal reimbursement for conducting ACEs screenings, with supporters emphasizing that it would expand equitable access to trauma-informed screenings and help enable earlier interventions that could reduce long-term negative health outcomes. The discussion concludes with a witness asking for support and a committee member giving an aye recommendation.
AB29 — Item two on the add-on list is AB 29.
Holly Jenkins — Holly Jenkins, a Community Health Advocate/worker and certified Black lactation educator with the Black Wellness and Prosperity Center in Fresno, testifies in support of AB 29. She introduces herself and explains that her daily work serving Black and BIPOC clients, including pregnant people and those affected by trauma, informs her perspective.
Tarragambo Eastman — Testifies in support on behalf of the Steinberg Institute.
Carly Stelser — Testifies in support on behalf of the California Behavioral Health Association.
To set short — Name is uncertain in the transcript; appears to testify on behalf of several health care organizations in support.
AB416 — The committee moves on to AB 416 by Krell after AB 29 passes out.
AB416 — Described as removing a bottleneck in the behavioral health system and improving access for patients in crisis.
AB416 — Explained as addressing delays in crisis care and ER overcrowding by changing authority over 5150 holds.
AB416 — The speaker continues explaining the need for AB 416 by describing delays in emergency departments and the bottleneck caused by waiting for psychiatric holds.
AB416 — The speaker argues the bill will streamline care for vulnerable people and reduce pressure on emergency rooms.
AB416 — The bill is being discussed with supporters present to testify.
AB416 — The bill is being supported by emergency physicians and discussed as a solution to behavioral health care delays.
AB416 — The testimony supports the bill as a way to improve care for behavioral health patients.
AB416 — The speaker explicitly asks for a yes vote on the bill.
AB416 — The witness thanks the author for bringing the bill forward and supports it.
AB416 — The witness says the bill helps connect care and address the crisis.