Advocates use legislation to help create new laws, change existing laws, and prevent harmful changes that would affect CHCs statewide.

In 2026, the second year of the 2025-2025 legislative session, these are Advocates legislative priorities:

Addressing the Physician Shortage - AB 2386 (Alvarez) & SB 1179 (Menjivar) - Co-Sponsor

AB 2386 would create a permanent pathway for the current cohort of physicians practicing as part of the Mexican Physician Program. The bill would also create a pathway for internationally trained physicians that meet certain educational and training requirements and are authorized to work in the U.S. 
SB 1179 would use the Mexican Physician Program model and extend it to physicians from El Salvador that meet educational and training standard to practice at a FQHC using a non-renewable three-year license.
LOCATION: In their respective Rules Committees; both bills will be referred to each house's Business and Professions Committee.

Creating an Optional Organizational-Wide PPS Rate - AB 2036 (Patel) -Co-Sponsor

This legislation would provide flexibility for an optional PPS rate-setting at the organizational level for community health centers and clinics.
LOCATION: Currently in spot-bill form; will be amended in mid-march and be referred to Assembly Health Committee

In 2025, these bills are Advocates legislative priorities:

FQHC/FQHC Look-Alike Mission Spend Ratio - AB 1113 (M. Gonzalez) - Oppose

This legislation requires FQHCs and FQHC look-alikes to spend a minimum of 90% of their total revenue from all payor sources on “mission-driven expense.” The term “mission-driven expenses” is narrowly defined and does not capture services that promote patient care. The bill excludes FQHCs that participate in a Labor Management Cooperation Committee. Finally, the bill requires an annual fee on FQHCs to pay for this unnecessary reporting requirement that does not improve patient care.
LOCATION: In Assembly Rules Committee - no longer moving in 2026

Increasing Access to Prescription Medication by prohibiting contract pharmacy restrictions - AB 1460 (Rogers) - Co-Sponsor

Take action on this bill! Download the AB 1460 Social Media Advocacy Toolkit .

This legislation would enact protections for CHCs to contract with outside pharmacies thereby increasing access to patients’ essential medication. Nationally, drug manufacturers have placed restrictions on CHCs and their use of contract pharmacies claiming abuse or fraud of the 340B program.
LOCATION: 2-year bill - In Senate Health Committee 2-year bill

Telehealth For All Act of 2025 - AB 688 (M. Gonzalez) - Co-Sponsor

This legislation requires the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to utilize Medi-Cal data and other available data sources to produce a publicly available biennial Medi-Cal telehealth utilization report.
LOCATION: Signed into Law