Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom Works with Patient Advocates to Make Healthcare More Affordable

Sacramento, CA- In 2025, Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom introduced AB 278 to formalize patient representation within California's Office of Healthcare Affordability (OHCA) and ensure affordability decisions truly reflect how policies impact patients and families across California.

Building on that effort, OHCA is moving forward with the formation of a new Patient and Consumer Forum on Health Care Affordability, creating a formal channel for patients, caregivers, and advocates to share lived experience navigating California's health care system. Their input will help inform OHCA's evaluation of health care spending trends, market dynamics, and policy approaches, providing an added safeguard as affordability policies are developed and implemented.

I'm glad we were able to find a non-legislative solution and bring all parties to the table. Patients with chronic, rare, or terminal illnesses need a real voice and this new forum helps make sure patient experiences are heard as the state works to make health care more affordable, without sacrificing quality, equity, or access to care."

- Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom

Patients, caregivers, and patient advocates representing diverse health conditions and communities across California will be invited to join the forum. Members will offer recommendations grounded in lived experience to help inform OHCA's work on health care spending, market trends, and policy decisions. By increasing transparency and formalizing patient input, the forum can help reduce the risk of unintended consequences that limit access to essential and life-saving care.

"Assemblymember Ransom has consistently pushed for patient representation and this announcement reflects growing recognition that lived experience must be reflected in policies that impact access to care," said Lynne Kinst, Executive Director of the Bleeding Disorders Council of California. "Patients must be part of the conversation when affordability policies are developed, and we're grateful OHCA is taking our input seriously."

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom believes this is an important step in the right direction and looks forward to continuing to work with OHCA and patient advocates to ensure California's health care system becomes more affordable for patients across the state.