AB 2160 Is Law: Lactation Support Just Got Easier to Access for Medi-Cal Families
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2160 into law, removing barriers that have kept too many Medi-Cal families from getting lactation support when they need it most.
The California Breastfeeding Coalition proudly co-sponsored this bill alongside the California WIC Association, with Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando) carrying it through the Legislature. This win belongs to everyone who helped get it across the finish line.
Part of a Bigger Moment for Maternal Health
AB 2160 was signed as part of a package of nine bills strengthening reproductive and maternal health care in California. Alongside it, the Governor signed legislation that bolsters perinatal and postpartum care, including new guidance for postpartum pelvic floor health, expanded authority for certified nurse-midwives to stabilize patients in emergencies and active labor, new workforce data to grow California’s midwifery pipeline, and extended paid maternity leave for firefighters.
In announcing the package, the Governor’s office specifically highlighted AB 2160 as a step to support nursing parents by removing the preauthorization requirement for Medi-Cal lactation care, so families can get help without delay.
Seeing lactation care recognized as an essential part of maternal health, right alongside these other critical protections, is exactly what our coalition has been working toward.
The Problem: Coverage Without Access
Picture a new parent a few days after birth. Feeding isn’t going the way they hoped. They’re exhausted, worried, and they need help now.
Lactation services are already covered under Medi-Cal. But when that parent reaches out, they may be told they need a referral first. Or a prescription. Or prior authorization. Or their plan isn’t sure it’s responsible for covering the service at all.
By the time they work through the system, the window when support matters most may have already passed.
This was never a coverage problem. It was a clarity problem. Plans weren’t sure what they were responsible for. Providers lacked clear billing codes and reimbursement procedures. And no one could say how many qualified lactation consultants were actually available to Medi-Cal members. These barriers fell hardest on low-income families who already face disproportionate health challenges.
What AB 2160 Does
The new law directs the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to streamline procedures and issue updated guidance that will:
Remove unnecessary hoops for families. Medi-Cal members who reasonably self-identify a need for lactation consultation will be able to access services without prior authorization, a prescription, or a referral.
Clarify who is responsible for coverage. The law clearly defines Medi-Cal managed care plans’ responsibility to cover and reimburse lactation services and supports.
Make billing clearer for providers. DHCS will clarify standard billing and reimbursement procedures, including appropriate billing codes, so providers can spend less time on paperwork and more time caring for families.
Bring consistency across the state. No matter where a family lives or which plan they’re enrolled in, the path to lactation care should be clear and transparent.
A Closer Look at IBCLC Access
One of the strongest parts of AB 2160 came through amendments made during the legislative process. Medi-Cal managed care plans will now be required to report the number of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) accessible within their provider networks for members who need clinical lactation consultation.
For the first time, California will have real data on where highly qualified lactation professionals are available, and where they aren’t. That information will help identify gaps in access and guide future work to make sure every family can get timely, evidence-based care.
Community Voices Are Built In
AB 2160 also requires DHCS to gather input from stakeholders before issuing guidance. Providers, advocates, and families will have a chance to help shape how these changes are put into practice.
The law also allows DHCS to move forward through plan letters, provider bulletins, and similar instructions while formal regulations are developed, supporting timely implementation.
How We Got Here
This bill didn’t pass on its own. Lactation professionals, health care providers, public health partners, community-based organizations, and families across California wrote letters of support, called their representatives, and shared why this mattered.
When the bill reached the Governor’s desk, CBC Executive Director Jasmine Pettis, MPH, IBCLC, wrote to urge his signature, emphasizing that improved access to lactation services is associated with lower rates of infant illness, fewer maternal health complications, and better long-term outcomes, particularly for communities that experience inequities in care.
What Happens Next
Because the law directs DHCS to issue updated guidance, these changes will roll out over time rather than overnight. [Add effective date or expected implementation timeline here.]
CBC will follow implementation closely and share updates as guidance is released, including opportunities for you to provide input during the stakeholder process. Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter so you don’t miss them.
Thank You
To Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez and her team, to our co-sponsor the California WIC Association, and to every lactation professional, provider, advocate, and family member who showed up for this bill: thank you.
When a family reaches out for lactation support, the system should be ready to meet them. Because of you, California is now much closer to making that true.