PANS/PANDAS BILL WORKING THROUGH LEGISLATURE

Long Beach Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal is working with the state legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office to build support for Assembly Bill (AB) 2105. The California Coalition for PANS/PANDAS Advocacy has also been present in the state capital to build support and educate lawmakers and the public about PANS/PANDAS: inflammatory brain disorders that can become chronic or life-threatening conditions when left untreated that impacts children up to 13 years of age.

AB2105 would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 to provide coverage for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of Pediatric Autoimmune Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) that is prescribed or ordered by the treating physician and surgeon.

“I’m thrilled to rally with families and advocates during the inaugural California PANS/PANDAS Advocacy Day on June 26, a vitally important day to raise our collective voices in support of children suffering from PANS/PANDAS,” said Assemblymember Lowenthal. “While I’m encouraged by the unanimous legislative support of AB2105 to date, our work is not done until every PANS/PANDAS child in California can get the health insurance coverage they deserve in order to fully thrive.”

Advocacy Day in Sacramento

On June 26, the inaugural California PANS/PANDAS Advocacy Day was held at the state capitol. It was hosted by the California Coalition for PANS/PANDAS Advocacy and Assemblymember Lowenthal, sponsor of AB2105. Families, doctors, and advocates were present to build support for the serious medical condition that can be misdiagnosed and devastating for children who have it, and for their family members.

Colorado became the 12th U.S. state to pass similar PANS/PANDAS healthcare coverage laws on June 3. Will California become the 13th?

AB2105 would increase access to life-saving medicines for treatment of inflammatory brain disorders. The bill has moved through the California legislative process this year with unanimous support, including passing the Senate Health Committee on June 12.

The biggest challenge will be getting Gov. Newsom to sign the bill. While the state senate and assembly last year passed Assembly Bill No. 907, a similar bill to AB2105, Newsom vetoed it. Newsom has received hefty campaign contributions from a few health insurance companies, and vetoed AB907 and other bills that would have increased medical benefits – and that would have cost these healthcare insurance providers more to fulfill.

On June 26, parents and affected children had the opportunity to convey the hardships resulting from insurance denials directly to a representative from the Governor’s office. Their personal stories highlighted the emotional and financial strain that insurance denials impose on families, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change to support those in dire need of medical care, according to California Coalition for PANS/PANDAS Advocacy.

On June 28, prominent PANS/PANDAS treating physicians from UCLA and Stanford met with officials from the Governor’s office to discuss the importance of AB2105. They were able to provide a professional perspective on the challenges they face when insurance companies deny coverage for essential treatments, according to the association. Denials from the healthcare insurance companies hinder their ability to provide needed care.

Where It Stands in Sacramento

Lowenthal introduced AB2105 on Feb. 5, 2024. It was evaluated and passed through committees and was later passed 68-0 by the Assembly on May 21, 2024.

On June 12, 2024, the Senate Health Committee approved the senate version of the bill 9-0. It’s expected to make it to a Senate floor vote sometime between Aug. 5-8 of this year. If it passes, it would then go to Gov. Newsom for his signature.

AB2105 recently gained the co-authorship of two prominent lawmakers, Senator Susan Rubio and Senator Scott Wiener.

Other supporters of the bill include California Medical Association, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara from the California Department of Insurance, California Children’s Hospital Association, MemorialCare Health System, AFL-CIO, Children Now, California Health Coalition Advocacy, PANDAS Physician Network, and other groups and individuals.

For those interested in staying informed and supporting efforts to get the bill passed, go to the California Coalition for PANS/PANDAS Advocacy Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/p/CalCoalition-for-PansPandas-Advocacy-10008341...

Jon LeSage is a resident of Long Beach and a veteran business media reporter and editor. You can reach him at jtlesage1@yahoo.com.