California Health Care Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.
Sweeping federal legislation called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) changed the way insurance is procured, putting in place special rules for both health insurance providers and their customers. Prior to the ACA, health insurance primarily was regulated at the state level. But states, including California, still have the authority to pass laws and regulations affecting health care. For example, California has at least three laws addressing the confidentiality of patients' records that go above and beyond federal HIPAA regulations. Other state health care laws address matters such as assisted suicide, access to reproductive health services, and power of attorney. Click on a link below to learn more.