Governor Signs Zbur Bill Accelerating Access to Rare Disease Treatments

AB 1887 establishes a 30-day prior authorization backstop to help patients access prescribed rare disease treatments faster

SACRAMENTO, CA - Democratic Caucus Chair and California Rare Disease Caucus Chair Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) announced today that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 1887, legislation to accelerate access to FDA-approved rare disease treatments and prevent avoidable interruptions in care for Californians living with rare diseases. Sponsored by the California Chronic Care Coalition, AB 1887 requires accelerated prior authorization for rare disease treatments prescribed by an appropriate specialist based on medical necessity. Under the new law, if a qualifying prior authorization request is not approved by a health plan within 30 days, the request is automatically and immediately certified.

"Rare disease patients already face enormous challenges getting a diagnosis, finding a specialist, and identifying the right treatment - they shouldn't then face unnecessary delays getting access to the treatment their doctor has prescribed," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "AB 1887 puts a clear 30-day limit on the prior authorization process for these treatments, giving patients and families greater certainty and helping prevent avoidable interruptions in care. "This work is deeply personal to me. My sister Jackie's battle with ALS showed me firsthand the challenges families face when someone they love is diagnosed with a rare disease. Her experience is one of the reasons I've made improving care for rare disease patients a priority. I'm incredibly proud to see this bill signed into law, and grateful to the California Chronic Care Coalition and the rare disease patients and families whose advocacy made this possible."

Rare diseases are a significant public health issue affecting an estimated 4 million Californians. For people living with rare diseases, the path to treatment can already be extraordinarily long: the average time to diagnosis is seven to eight years, meaning patients can spend years searching for answers before treatment access barriers even begin.

Prior authorization requires an insurer to approve a physician's prescribed treatment before a patient can access it. For rare disease patients, that process can pose particular challenges. Rare disease therapies may be the only viable treatment option, reviewers may lack familiarity with uncommon conditions, and prior authorization can result in weeks- or months-long delays even when a treatment is FDA-approved and medically necessary.

AB 1887 addresses those delays by establishing a clear timeline for qualifying rare disease treatment requests. By automatically certifying a request that has not been approved within 30 days, the new law is designed to provide faster access to lifesaving and life-altering therapies, prevent avoidable treatment interruptions for patients already on established therapies, and respect the expertise of specialists treating complex conditions.

"Today is a victory for Californians living with rare diseases and the families who cannot afford to wait for treatment," said Liz Helms, President and CEO of the California Chronic Care Coalition-the sponsor of AB 1887. "AB 1887 recognizes that when a specialist determines a rare disease treatment is medically necessary, an insurance decision should not be allowed to drag on indefinitely. We thank Governor Newsom for signing this bill and Assemblymember Zbur for his steadfast leadership in putting patients first."

"Behind every FDA-approved rare disease treatment are years of research from scientists who refused to give up on patients who had nowhere else to turn," said Mike Guerra, California Life Sciences CEO. "Now, unnecessary health insurance red tape will no longer stand between a rare disease patient and the treatment that their doctor has prescribed. This law is an important step toward a health care system that puts patients and their unique needs first."

"Rare disease patients navigate challenges every day - from diagnosis, to finding care, to identifying the right treatment," said Nancy Netherland, a rare disease patient and mother of a child with a rare disease. "This legislation eliminates one of those challenges: the need for prior authorization on treatments our child's doctors have already prescribed. We are deeply grateful to Assemblymember Zbur for championing the rare disease community and for his leadership in advancing legislation that puts patients and families first."

As Chair of the California Rare Disease Caucus, Assemblymember Zbur has worked alongside patients, families, advocates, health care providers, and fellow legislators to elevate the challenges facing Californians living with rare diseases and improve access to care. AB 1887 will take effect January 1, 2027.

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, [email protected]