SB 950: Health care coverage: dementia.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the act’s requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law prohibits specified health care service plan contracts and disability insurance policies from excluding persons covered by the plan from receiving benefits if they are diagnosed as having any significant destruction of brain tissue with resultant loss of brain function, including Alzheimer’s disease.

This bill would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, to include coverage for all medically necessary treatments or medications, as determined by a health care provider, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease or other medical conditions affecting memory. On and after January 1, 2027, the bill would prohibit a health care service plan or health insurer from imposing step therapy protocols as a prerequisite to authorizing that coverage, except as provided. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5 · Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 662, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 662, Statutes of 2026.
3. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
4. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
5. August 30, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 6 p.m.
6. August 30, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 6 p.m.
7. August 25, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 5740.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
8. August 25, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
9. August 24, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
10. August 24, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
11. August 24, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6373.) Ordered to the Senate.
12. August 24, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6373.) Ordered to the Senate.