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Senate committee advances AB 1876 to codify federal nondiscrimination protections into California law
Summary
AB 1876, the 'Fair Care for All Act,' was presented as codifying Affordable Care Act nondiscrimination protections (Section 1557) into state law to protect access to health care for transgender, gender‑diverse and intersex people. Supporters urged passage while some public commenters and detransitioners opposed the bill; committee passed the bill and referred it to Judiciary.
Assemblymember Addis introduced AB 1876, describing it as the "Fair Care for All Act" and saying the bill would codify federal nondiscrimination protections into state law to ensure no one is excluded from health care coverage or services based on a protected characteristic. Addis told the committee the measure "just takes those anti‑discrimination provisions from federal law and puts those into state law. The bill does not expand coverage at all."
Alex Bass (S26), policy associate with the Trans Latina Coalition, and Dr. Malachi Cote (S27), executive director of the Gender Health Center, testified in support. Bass described the benefits he experienced receiving gender‑affirming care under Medi‑Cal and said loss of access to such care had been devastating for some community members. Dr. Cote said his center provides low‑barrier gender‑affirming services, described families' fear about losing care and urged the committee to protect continuity of care and non‑discrimination in coverage.
A long list of professional and advocacy organizations — including the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, Planned Parenthood affiliates, Health Access California, county behavioral health organizations and others — registered support. In opposition, several members of the public, including a self‑identified detransitioner, spoke forcefully against the bill, arguing that it would remove utilization management and mandate coverage in ways they said could cause harm. Erin Friday (S17) testified the measure would eliminate clinical safeguards and could prevent insurers from using evidence‑based criteria; she urged a no vote.
Committee members questioned the scope of the bill and whether it would change coverage requirements beyond current law. Opponents warned of civil and criminal penalties described in the bill analysis; the author and supporters repeatedly said AB 1876 codifies existing federal nondiscrimination law (Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act) and does not itself create new coverage mandates. After discussion, Senator Menjivar moved the bill; the assistant called the roll and the chair announced the bill had passed out of committee (recorded in the transcript as "ayes 7, noes 1"). The chair placed AB 1876 on call for final processing.
