California Hospitals Must Screen Uninsured & Underinsured For Financial Assistance Eligibility

To assist those in need, hospitals in California must screen uninsured and underinsured consumers for financial assistance eligibility, including discounted or free care, beginning July 1, 2027. The requirement comes from Assembly Bill (AB) 1312, which was signed on October 7, 2025. The bill instructs hospitals to presume financial assistance eligibility upon verification that consumers are receiving means-based government assistance. Screening criteria include experiencing homelessness, enrollment in CalFresh for nutrition assistance, enrollment in CalWORKs for employment assistance, or being eligible for financial assistance in the previous six months.

AB 1312 applies to licensed hospitals, including general acute care hospitals . . .