AB 1887 Accelerates Access to Lifesaving Treatments for Californians Living with Rare Diseases
SACRAMENTO, CA - Democratic Caucus Chair and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur's (D-Hollywood) bill AB 1887, legislation to reduce delays and barriers to treatment for Californians living with rare diseases, has passed the California State Assembly with bipartisan support and no "no" votes and now heads to the Senate. Sponsored by the California Chronic Care Coalition, the bill requires accelerated prior authorization and prohibits step therapy requirements for FDA-approved rare disease treatments prescribed by appropriate specialists based on medical necessity.
"Patients living with rare diseases do not have time to wait through unnecessary delays and insurance red tape while their condition worsens," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "California is a global leader in developing rare disease therapies, but too many patients still struggle to access the treatments that already exist. AB 1887 helps ensure Californians can access lifesaving and life-altering treatments faster, while respecting the expertise of physicians treating some of the most complex and serious medical conditions imaginable."
Rare diseases affect an estimated 4 million Californians. While each rare disease individually impacts a relatively small number of people, collectively they impose devastating human and economic costs. The average rare disease patient waits seven to eight years for a diagnosis, and many conditions begin during childhood. One-third of children born with a rare disease die before age five due to a lack of access to treatment.
Current prior authorization and step therapy requirements often create weeks- or months-long delays before patients can access medically necessary care, even when treatments are FDA-approved and prescribed by specialists familiar with the condition.
According to a 2021 survey by the American Medical Association:
- 93% of physicians reported patients experienced delayed care due to prior authorization requirements;
- 91% said prior authorization negatively impacted patient outcomes; and
- 34% reported serious adverse events tied to delays, including hospitalization, permanent disability, or death.
AB 1887 addresses these barriers by:
- Requiring accelerated prior authorization for FDA-approved rare disease therapies;
- Automatically approving prior authorization requests not acted upon within 30 days;
- Prohibiting step therapy requirements for rare disease treatments prescribed by appropriate specialists; and
- Preventing unnecessary treatment interruptions for patients already receiving established therapies.
"Today's vote is a victory for every California family living with a rare disease who has been told to wait while their child or loved one gets sicker," said Liz Helms, President and CEO of the California Chronic Care Coalition. "AB 1887 says that when a specialist prescribes an FDA‑approved rare disease treatment, health plans must make a timely decision or get out of the way. It ends fail‑first policies that force patients to try and fail on drugs their doctors know will not work. We are grateful to Assemblymember Zbur and the Assembly for this bipartisan commitment to putting patients before paperwork and bringing hope, stability, and dignity to millions of Californians."
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.
CONTACT: Vienna Montague, (916) 319-2051, Vienna.Montague@asm.ca.gov