Senator Weber proposes SB 439 to extend California's CHIPERB funding and duration

California's Assembly Health Committee convened on June 17, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 439, a pivotal measure aimed at extending the California Health Benefit Review Program (CHIPERB) for an additional six years while increasing its annual budget by $1 million. This extension is crucial for maintaining the program's ability to provide evidence-based analyses that impact over 22 million Californians enrolled in state-regulated health insurance.

Senator Weber, who introduced the bill, emphasized the importance of CHIPERB's work in navigating the complexities of health policy and insurance markets. The program has completed nearly 250 requests and produced numerous resources tailored specifically for California, underscoring its role in supporting informed policymaking.

Jen Chase from the University of California and Garen Corbett, the director of CHIPERB, both testified in favor of the bill. Corbett highlighted that the program has only seen one budget increase in over 20 years, which has hindered its ability to keep pace with inflation and the growing demands of health policy analysis. The proposed funding increase is expected to alleviate these pressures and enhance the program's capacity to deliver high-quality analyses.

The committee heard no opposition to the bill, indicating broad support for its objectives. As the discussion concluded, the committee members were encouraged to vote in favor of SB 439, which promises to secure essential resources for CHIPERB and ensure its continued contribution to California's health policy landscape. The next steps will involve further deliberation and a potential vote in the full assembly, marking a significant moment for health policy advocacy in the state.