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Committee advances bill requiring coverage of portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable Californians during wildfire emergencies
Summary
AB 546 would require health care service plans to cover effective portable HEPA purifiers for people who are pregnant or diagnosed with respiratory disease and living in areas declared under a wildfire emergency; sponsors cited small state cost and large projected medical-cost savings from reduced hospitalizations.
Assemblymember Closa presented AB 546, which would require health care service plans to provide coverage for effective portable HEPA air purifiers for specified vulnerable enrollees when their area is under a wildfire emergency declaration.
Closa described the January wildfires in Southern California and the resulting air pollution, and witnesses from the Coalition for Clean Air told the committee that smoke exposure increases respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations and that indoor HEPA filtration reduces exposure. Witnesses cited a study estimate in committee testimony that wildfire-smoke-related hospitalizations cost the state roughly $213,000 per day and $217,000,000 per year, and they said the bill’s estimated general-fund costs were low (witnesses cited a $49,000 estimate) compared with potential savings.
Supporters said coverage would be limited to those who are pregnant or diagnosed with a respiratory disease and living in an area declared under a wildfire emergency. The committee moved the bill with no recorded primary opposition and reported it out; the transcript notes Republicans did not vote on the item.
