Provided by the Los Angeles Chronic Pain Support Group
Decisions made in the California Legislature directly affect people living with chronic pain. Laws and regulations can influence access to treatment, insurance coverage, prescribing policies, prior authorization requirements, and access to multidisciplinary care.
Many patients do not realize how directly state legislation can affect their daily lives. This page provides simple updates on legislation that may affect people living with chronic pain in California and offers easy ways for individuals to contact their elected representatives if they choose to do so.
You do not need to be a policy expert to participate. Legislators often pay attention when they hear from their constituents.
Step 1: Find Your California Legislators
Before contacting anyone, identify your California State Senator and California Assembly Member.
Use the official California Legislature website:
Find Your Representative
https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
Enter your home address and the website will show:
• California State Senator
• California Assembly Member
• U.S. Representative
Write down the names of your State Senator and Assembly Member. These are the legislators who vote on California state laws.
Step 2: Current Legislation Affecting Chronic Pain Patients
The following bill is currently being monitored because it may affect people living with chronic medical conditions.
SB 964
Medication Adjustment Without New Prior Authorization
What the bill proposes
SB 964 would allow physicians to adjust the dose or frequency of an existing prescription medication without requiring a new prior authorization from the insurance company.
Why this may matter for people living with chronic pain
People living with chronic medical conditions often rely on treatment plans that require careful adjustments over time. Small changes in medication dosage or timing may be necessary as part of ongoing care.
When insurance companies require new prior authorizations for these adjustments, patients may experience:
• delays in treatment
• interruptions in care
• worsening symptoms
Policies that reduce unnecessary administrative barriers may help physicians respond more quickly to patient needs.
If You Wish to Contact Your Legislator
If you would like to share your perspective with your elected representatives, you may send an email or make a brief phone call.
Legislators and their staff regularly track communications from constituents.
Sample Email
Subject: Please consider SB 964 and its impact on patients with chronic conditions
Dear Senator / Assembly Member,
I am a California resident living with chronic pain.
Many people with chronic medical conditions depend on carefully managed treatment plans that sometimes require small adjustments in medication dosage or timing.
Insurance requirements for new prior authorizations can delay treatment even when a physician is simply adjusting an existing prescription. These delays can interrupt care and increase suffering for patients.
I hope you will carefully consider how policies such as SB 964 affect people living with chronic conditions.
Thank you for your service to our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City], California
Telephone Script
Hello,
My name is ______ and I live in ______, California.
I am calling to ask the Senator / Assembly Member to consider the impact of insurance authorization requirements on people living with chronic conditions.
Small adjustments in medication are sometimes necessary as part of ongoing care, and delays in approval can interrupt treatment.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to patients.
SB 944
Health Insurance and Access to Care
What the bill proposes
SB 944 addresses aspects of how health insurance coverage is provided through California’s health insurance marketplace. The bill focuses on expanding eligibility and improving access to coverage options through Covered California, the state’s health insurance exchange.
Why this may matter for people living with chronic pain
Access to reliable health insurance coverage is essential for people living with chronic medical conditions, including chronic pain.
Changes to insurance eligibility and coverage options can affect:
• access to physicians and specialists
• coverage for medications
• access to therapies and multidisciplinary care
• continuity of treatment
Policies that improve access to coverage may help ensure that people living with chronic conditions can maintain consistent care.
If You Wish to Contact Your Legislator About SB 944
Use the legislator finder tool:
https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
Enter your address to identify your California State Senator and Assembly Member.
Sample Email
Subject: Please Consider SB 944
Dear Senator / Assembly Member,
I am a California resident living with chronic pain.
Access to stable and affordable health insurance is essential for people living with chronic medical conditions. Policies that affect insurance coverage can directly influence our ability to receive treatment, medications, and ongoing care.
I hope you will carefully consider how legislation such as SB 944 may affect patients living with chronic conditions in California.
Thank you for your service to our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City], California
Telephone Script
Hello, my name is ______.
I live in ______, California.
I am calling to ask the Senator / Assembly Member to carefully consider SB 944 and how health insurance policies affect people living with chronic conditions.
Access to consistent health coverage is very important for people managing chronic illness.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to patients.’
Additional Resources
California Senate Directory
https://www.senate.ca.gov/senators
California Assembly Directory
https://www.assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers
These pages provide contact information for every California legislator.
Tips for Contacting Legislators
If you decide to contact your legislator:
• Identify yourself as a constituent
• Mention your city or zip code
• Be respectful and concise
• Share your experience if you are comfortable doing so
• Ask them to consider the impact of legislation on people living with chronic conditions
Legislative offices often track how many constituents contact them about an issue.
Important Note
This information is provided to help people living with chronic pain stay informed about legislation that may affect their care.
Individuals should review legislation and decide for themselves whether they wish to contact their elected representatives.