BILL NUMBER: SB 951INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Hernandez JANUARY 5, 2012 An act relating to health care coverage. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 951, as introduced, Hernandez. Health care coverage: essential health benefits. Commencing January 1, 2014, existing law, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), requires a health insurance issuer that offers coverage in the small group or individual market to ensure that such coverage includes the essential health benefits package, as defined. Existing law provides for the regulation of health care service plans and health insurers by the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance, respectively, and requires health care service plans and health insurers to cover various benefits. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would implement the essential health benefits as established under specified provisions of the PPACA. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would implement the essential health benefits as established under Section 1302 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148).