Latest Updates from Assemblymember Bloom

Some alarming statistics about the health of Californians: In 2016, 25 percent of adults were obese. That's almost a 40-percent increase from 2001. One out of every 12 adults reports being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Add in those with undiagnosed cases of diabetes and those who have prediabetes, and you're looking at 55 percent of the state's adult population. Those who drink at least one soda daily are 27-percent more likely than others to be obese. 

Lawmakers in California are aiming to curb the state’s consumption of sodas and other sugary beverages with a variety of proposed legislation announced on Wednesday.

The state assemblymember representing Santa Monica is introducing a bill to require California health insurers to cover hearing aids for children.

A slate of California bills were introduced Wednesday in an effort to add a soda tax and limit the size of sugary beverages.

The five bills introduced to the California legislature include a proposed tax and warning label, as well as provisions limiting the size, marketing practices and placement of sugary drinks across the state, including Santa Clarita.

(Calif.) New bipartisan legislation introduced Tuesday would require health insurance plans to cover hearing aids for children.

Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica and lead author of AB 598, said that thousands of families–including those with health insurance–must pay the full cost of hearing aids out-of-pocket, which on average range between $1,500 and $4,000 per ear, and must be replaced every three to five years.

The state assemblymember representing Santa Monica is introducing a bill to require California health insurers to cover hearing aids for children.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. 

SACRAMENTO -- Several state lawmakers are proposing a series of bills to restrict sugary drinks in California.

"We are here quite simply because we are in a public health crisis," said Assem. Rob Bonta, D-Oakland.

Bonta and a number of other assembly members and senators plan introduced five bills Wednesday that would not only tax soda and other sugary drinks, but also limit serving sizes, coupons and deals, as well as displays. One would also require sugary drinks to carry warning labels similar to cigarettes.

SACRAMENTO — Months after the California Legislature reluctantly voted to ban cities from passing new soda taxes, Democratic lawmakers are taking another stab at a statewide fee and other measures to reduce consumption of sugary drinks.