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Press Releases

Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. Announces Legislation to Protect Chronic and Terminally Ill Patients Who Rely on Patient Assistance Programs to Afford Prescription Medications

Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa) introduced legislation to protect patient access to prescription medications. AB 2180 would ensure that California health plans, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) count the value of copay assistance that is paid by a patient assistant program on behalf of a chronically or terminally ill patient, toward that patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum expenses.

California Legislative Black Caucus Introduces 2024 Reparations Legislative Package

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California Legislative Black Caucus announced the planned introduction of the 2024 Reparations Priority Bill Package. With the release of the historic Reparations Task Force Report last summer, the Caucus has announced its first step in what will be a multi-year effort to implement the legislative recommendations in the report.

Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. Announces Legislation Banning ​​​​​​​the sale of “Gas Station Heroin”

Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa) announced her intention to introduce a bill to ban the sale of products containing the ingredient, Tianeptine. This drug, which is not approved by the FDA[1] for any medical use, is being sold as an ingredient in many products in California stores. Common names for Tianeptine include “gas station heroin,” “ZaZa Red,” or “Neptune’s Elixir.”

Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. Announces Legislation Expanding the Crown Act

Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa) announced the introduction of AB 1815. This bill would prohibit an amateur sports organization from discriminating against any person on the basis of race, inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles in the operation, conduct, or administration of a youth or amateur sports competition, training, camp, or club.

Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. Announce Intent to Introduce Legislation Addressing Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa) announced she will be introducing legislation that will address the challenges of intentionally deceptive content on the internet, by requiring an industry standard for identifying generative artificial intelligence (“AI”). This standard has been adopted by a multi-stakeholder initiative made up of more than 1800 entities from the private sector, academia, human rights groups, NGOs, and others.

Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. Announces Legislation Signed by Governor

Sacramento, CA – Today, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. announces that Governor Gavin Newsom has finished taking action on all of her bills. “I am grateful to the Governor and all my colleagues in the Legislature for recognizing the importance of these bills. I look forward to engaging with the administration and stakeholders on the implementation of these new laws over the next several months,” said Assemblymember Weber (D- La Mesa).

Assemblymember Akilah Weber Hosts Annual Backpack Giveaway Event

El Cajon – Today, Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. hosted the 79th Assembly District’s 11th Annual Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair. Many organizations came together to raise thousands of dollars to provide 1,000 K-12 students with free backpacks filled with school supplies for the new year. The event was held at the Ronald Regan Community Center in El Cajon, a new redistricted city to the 79th Assembly District.