California Health Benefit Review Program: extension.

Senator Weber Pierson's proposal to extend California's Health Benefit Review Program through 2033 includes key modifications to the program's funding structure and operational parameters. The legislation would increase the maximum annual assessment on health care service plans and insurers from $2.2 million to $3.2 million, while maintaining the University of California's role in analyzing proposed health insurance benefit legislation.

The bill extends the program's funding mechanism by authorizing continued assessments on health plans and insurers from fiscal year 2026-27 through 2032-33. These assessments support the University of California's analysis of legislation that would mandate or repeal health insurance benefits, including evaluation of public health impacts, medical effectiveness, and financial consequences. The program examines effects on both private insurance markets and public programs like Medi-Cal, though references to the Healthy Families Program would be removed from the analysis framework.

Under the revised structure, health plans and insurers must remit assessed fees by August 1 annually, with notices provided by June 15 for health care service plans and aligned with existing assessment schedules for health insurers. The Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance would continue coordinating fee collection and transmitting funds to the State Controller for deposit in the Health Care Benefits Fund. The program would sunset on July 1, 2033, with formal repeal following on January 1, 2034.