CalDerm is tracking over 100 bills this legislative cycle that directly impacts dermatology practice in California.  The Legislative Committee meets monthly to assess and respond to key issues including scope of practice, reimbursement, health mandates, artificial intelligence, and patient safety.  We encourage members to support these efforts through contributions to the CalDerm PAC and signing up for membership.

Become a CalDerm Member

Donate to the CalDerm PAC

Over the past year, CalDerm has achieved several meaningful advocacy wins:

• Secured a $10,000 grant from the AAD to study the safety of in-office compounding and the implications of USP <797> on buffered lidocaine use
• Provided testimony before the California State Assembly opposing legislation that would have restricted over-the-counter topical retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids
• Maintained a strong presence in Washington, DC at the AADA Legislative Conference
• Actively tracked and engaged on 19 bills with defined positions and priorities
• Met with state legislators at the Capitol to discuss legislation impacting dermatology

Looking ahead, CalDerm will host Skin Cancer Screening at the Capitol on Monday, June 8 in Sacramento, providing free screenings to the community while continuing to monitor and respond to legislative developments throughout the year.

The legislative committee is led by Co-Chairs Drs. Jason Castillo and Jerome Potozkin.  CalDerm’s advocacy efforts are strengthened through our partnership with Political Solutions, LLC, a professional Sacramento-based lobbying team, ensuring consistent, expert representation at the state level.  Members interested in advocacy can learn more or apply to join the committee here. Below are summaries of key bills we are tracking this legislative cycle.

Focused Legislative Updates:

SB1333 (Jones): the bill proposed to expand naturopath scope of practice to include prescribing Schedule II-V controlled substances and performing many dermatologic procedures such as skin biopsy, cyst removal, and hematoma evacuation to name a few.  CalDerm opposed this bill alongside CMA.  The bill is officially dead after successful opposition.

AB2431 (Patel): the bill proposes to oppose automatic downcoding.  Cal Derm alongside many statewide healthcare societies are supporting this bill.  The bill passed through policy committee and is now in the Appropriations Committee.

AB1703 (Hart): the bill proposes to make it a misdemeanor for a person who is not licensed by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California to use the word “osteopath”, “D.O.” or a “doctor of osteopathy”.  CalDerm is in support of this bill.  The bill passed through policy committee and is now in the Appropriations Committee. 

AB1682 (Hart): the bill proposes to cover scalp cooling devices for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.  We are closely watching this bill.  CHRBP filed an analysis on the fiscal impacts of coverage. 

AB1744 (Addis): the bill proposes strict regulations on the terms “reef-safe” on sunscreens.  CalDerm is currently watching this bill.  The bill has moved through committees without any opposition. 

AB 2746 (Schiavo): the bill proposed to expand the definition of medical debt to include any charge originating from a list of locations, including a provider's office.  This bill would have disincentivized patients from using credit cards after receiving medical care.  This bill was held in policy committee and is now dead.

We will continue to provide brief updates on selected bills out of the 100 throughout the legislative cycle. 

Co-Chair - Jerome Potozkin, MD

Jerome R. Potozkin, MD, Inc.

Co-Chair - Jason Castillo, MD

Harbor-UCLA, Bernard J Tyson SOM

Committee Members:

Rawaa Almukhtar MD

Kristina Dela Rosa MD

Hege Grande Sarpa MD

Marvi Iqbal MD

Jayne Joo MD

Michelle Min MD

Elan Newman MD

Lily Park DO

Melissa Shive MD MPH

Lulu Wong-Jensen MD

Erica Baugh MD PGY4 (resident)

Dorothy Peng (medical student committee liaison)

Lobbyist Team:

Political Solutions