SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Assemblymember Mark González urges Governor Newsom to sign AB 554, following a strong push from two national coalitions.
"This battle for coverage with private insurers is so frustrating. It is a disgrace to every life lost and every family still fighting for tomorrow," said Assemblymember González.
With RFK Jr. carelessly firing all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the new threat to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) and 12 Congressional leaders issued a strong letter of support to Governor Gavin Newsom, asking for his signature on AB 554.
This comes as 92 state and national HIV organizations separately released a letter calling on Governor Newsom to sign AB 554 after the announcement by CVS stating their health insurance plans will not be covering the newest HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir (Yeztugo)—a new ground-breaking twice- yearly HIV prevention medication.
This decision is especially alarming, as CalPERS is set to transition to CVS as its pharmacy benefit manager in 2026—a change that could directly impact access to Yeztugo for more than 1.5 million health program members.
With the chaos and unpredictability of this federal administration—especially as it relates to preventative medicine—advocates have turned their attention to AB 554, authored by Asm. Mark González (D–Los Angeles) and Asm. Matt Haney (D–San Francisco), which would require all private health plans to cover PrEP medications, regardless of duration.
What Assemblymember González and Advocates are Saying:
"This is not a game – people's lives are on the line," said Asm. González. "Have we forgotten the worst days of the HIV epidemic – the fear, the funerals, and the government's silence? We swore we'd never go back. For decades, our communities have poured courage, advocacy, and resources into building the science and medicine that can finally end this epidemic. Yet here we are—billion-dollar corporations refusing to cover a lifesaving drug and RFK Jr. rolling back decades of progress. To deny access now is reckless and cruel."
"Long-acting PrEP should be a game changer — but too often, insurance companies create needless barriers and block access from the communities who need it most," said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. "At a time when the Trump administration is rolling back critical federal public health protections, AB 554 ensures Californians can access lifesaving medications without unnecessary costs or insurance barriers and reaffirms California's role as the nation's undisputed leader in the fight to end the HIV epidemic. We urge Governor Newsom to sign this urgently needed measure into law."
What AB 554 Does to Protect Californians?
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurers are required to cover preventive services like PrEP with no cost-sharing. The problem is that the USPSTF, which guides ACA coverage, typically recommends categories of medication such as "effective antiretroviral therapy" rather than specific drugs. Because of this, long-acting PrEP options are often excluded.
With the CDC recognizing Yeztugo as a "highly effective and safe PrEP option" that "provides the potential to improve PrEP adherence and thus enhance HIV prevention," now is the time to push!
AB 554 closes that gap by clarifying that USPSTF recommendations apply to all forms of PrEP—including long-acting PrEP with different dosing schedules.
The bill also:
- Requires insurers to cover all PrEP and PEP medications without prior authorization or step therapy.
- Authorizes providers to bill a plan's pharmaceutical benefit directly – simplifying reimbursement and enabling community clinics to expand access to a wider range of PrEP medications.
AB554passedtheLegislatureonSeptember10thandnowawaitsGovernor Newsom's signature.
Assemblymember Mark González is the Assembly Majority Whip. He represents the 54th Assembly District, composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.
CONTACT: Jaspreet Johl; Jaspreet.Johl@asm.ca.gov; (916) 335-8871
Kyle Johnson; Kyle.Johnson@asm.ca.gov; (925) 549-2030
