NASW-CA Continues Advocacy Efforts at the Capitol Following Lobby Days 2026

The advocacy work did not stop after Lobby Days.

Last week, NASW-CA continued elevating the social work voice at the Capitol in support of legislation impacting behavioral health, healthcare access, youth healing, Medi-Cal services, and food security across California.

On Tuesday, April 21, Dr. Jasmine Smith and Bindu Mukkamala represented NASW-CA during the Assembly Health Committee hearing in support of several key bills advancing health equity, behavioral health access, and community well-being.

Bills Supported During the Assembly Health Committee Hearing

AB 2511 (Ahrens) – Behavioral Health Care Coverage: Review

AB 2511 would require the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance to review behavioral health reimbursement rates, payment flows, and compensation disparities across California’s commercial health coverage market.

The bill seeks to address chronic underpayment in behavioral health care, strengthen workforce retention, improve provider participation in insurance networks, and expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services statewide.

---

AB 1682 (Hart) – Health Care Coverage: Scalp Cooling

AB 1682 would require health plans and insurers, including Medi-Cal where federally approved, to cover scalp cooling for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

This treatment can help reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss and support dignity, emotional well-being, and quality of life during cancer treatment.

AB 1843 (Elhawary) – Communicable Diseases: Hepatitis B and C

AB 1843 would improve access to hepatitis C treatment by removing unnecessary prior authorization barriers for direct-acting antiviral medications.

The bill requires coverage standards to align with current clinical guidelines and prohibits outdated restrictions that delay life-saving care.

AB 1887 (Zbur) – Prescription Drug Coverage for Rare Diseases

AB 1887 would strengthen access to medically necessary treatment for Californians living with rare diseases by limiting prior authorization, step therapy, and other utilization barriers when prescribed by a specialist.

The bill helps ensure patients with complex conditions can receive timely care without unnecessary delays.

AB 2138 (Krell) – Medi-Cal: Enhanced Care Management: Peer Support Specialists

AB 2138 would strengthen Medi-Cal’s Enhanced Care Management benefit by requiring ECM care teams to include peer support specialists with lived experience.

The bill helps expand whole-person care, improve engagement in services, and remove unnecessary barriers that prevent qualified peers from serving Medi-Cal members.

AB 2247 (Elhawary) – Trauma Healing and Resilience Investment for Victimized and Exposed Youth (T.H.R.I.V.E.) Act

AB 2247 would establish the T.H.R.I.V.E. program to support grants for counties providing mental health counseling and healing services for youth survivors of gun violence.

The bill also strengthens timely access to behavioral health care for impacted youth.

Legislative Update

All six measures successfully passed the Assembly Health Committee and are now headed to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

---

NASW-CA Testifies in Support of the CalFresh Protection Act

In continued advocacy efforts, Bindu Mukkamala also testified in support of:

AB 2309 (Bains) – The CalFresh Protection Act

Authored by Dr. Jasmeet Bains, AB 2309 would ensure California can continue CalFresh benefits during a federal funding lapse or government shutdown so families do not lose access to food because of political gridlock.

During testimony, Bindu shared the social work perspective, emphasizing that more than 5.47 million Californians rely on CalFresh each month and that food insecurity directly impacts housing stability, health outcomes, educational success, and overall family well-being.

AB 2309 passed the Assembly Human Services Committee with unanimous aye votes and will next be heard in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

---

NASW-CA remains committed to advancing policies that strengthen communities, protect vulnerable populations, and elevate the role of social workers in shaping a more equitable California.

Thank you to all advocates, members, and social workers who continue to engage in this important work alongside us.

---

Policy in Action: June Primary Candidate Review

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PT
Format: Virtual
Cost: Free
CEUs: 1 Free CEU Available

This Policy in Action session will provide an overview of social work value-aligned candidates running in California’s upcoming June 2, 2026 Primary Election. As communities across the state prepare to vote, this session is designed to help attendees better understand how local and state leadership decisions can shape policies affecting mental health care, housing stability, health equity, education, and social services. All active registered California voters will receive a ballot, making this an important opportunity for civic engagement and informed participation.

Participants will learn about candidates whose platforms and policy priorities closely reflect the core values of the social work profession. Attendees will also gain insight into the endorsement process used by NASW-CA and how advocacy, civic engagement, and informed voting can help advance a more just and equitable California. We will also review key voter resources and tools to help attendees stay informed, research candidates, and confidently participate in the election.

Join us for this free virtual session to strengthen your understanding of the current election landscape and learn how civic participation connects to social work practice and values. Attendees will receive one (1) free CEU.