Majority leader: AB 744 and AB 32 have expanded telehealth access but gaps remain

Assembly Majority Leader Agiara Curry opened the outcomes review hearing by saying the two bills at issue aimed to "make sure Californians can access the care they need when they need it," and asked the committee to focus on implementation and remaining barriers. She credited AB 744 with establishing payment parity and AB 32 with expanding audio‑only access for Medi‑Cal patients, and said the hearing would examine what is working and where policy gaps persist.

"AB 7 44 was a critical step forward by establishing payment parity for telehealth services. It gave providers the certainty they need to invest in telehealth and make it sustainable part of our health care delivery," Curry said. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly pointed to broadband access, up‑to‑date utilization and outcomes data, and billing rules for FQHCs/RHCs as priorities for follow‑up work. The majority leader and Chair Bonta said the outcomes review will inform future legislation and oversight.