California Leads the Nation Guaranteeing Essential Hearing, Fertility, and Mobility Benefits

California is forging a path to a fairer future. On May 5, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a plan to expand the state’s benchmark health plan, guaranteeing coverage for hearing aids, wheelchairs, and fertility treatments by 2027, pending federal approval. This proposal offers hope to millions trapped by a healthcare system that too often fails them. It signals a commitment to equity and dignity for all residents.

Access to essential healthcare services has long been uneven. Families facing infertility, children struggling to hear, and individuals needing mobility aids confront steep costs and limited options. California’s plan tackles these barriers directly, ensuring that vital tools and treatments become accessible. It prioritizes people over profits, a stance that resonates deeply with those who’ve felt ignored.

This initiative stems from tireless collaboration. Over the past year, the Department of Managed Health Care worked with legislators, advocates, and residents to shape a plan grounded in real needs. Public meetings and feedback sessions ensured that voices from affected communities guided the process. The outcome is a vision for healthcare that values every person’s right to thrive.

Resistance persists, however. Some policymakers argue that expanding coverage will drive up costs and limit market freedom. This view, often tied to deregulation, dismisses the struggles of those who can’t afford care. California’s leaders reject such arguments, choosing to build a system where health is a universal right.

Picture a child unable to hear their teacher clearly. Without hearing aids, their learning and growth suffer. California’s plan guarantees coverage for annual hearing exams and hearing aids, breaking down barriers for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. Senator Caroline Menjivar, a key supporter, highlights how this change will unlock opportunities for countless children.

For couples longing to start a family, infertility treatments like in vitro fertilization often remain out of reach due to high costs. By covering these services, California affirms that parenthood is a choice everyone deserves. Assemblymember Mia Bonta, who helped shape the plan, sees it as a commitment to equitable access to life’s most meaningful moments.

Individuals with mobility challenges also stand to gain. Coverage for wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters ensures they can move freely and live independently. A 2025 Rutgers study found that one in four U.S. adults has a disability and faces significant barriers to care. California’s plan addresses these inequities, offering a lifeline to those who need it most.

This effort builds on a broader legacy. Since the Affordable Care Act’s 2010 passage, 41 states and Washington, D.C., have expanded Medicaid, bringing coverage to millions. California’s latest step pushes this progress further, showing what’s possible when policy centers on human needs.

Opponents of the plan, often favoring market-driven policies, claim that mandating benefits like hearing aids or fertility care will raise premiums and stifle innovation. They push for stripped-down plans or block grants, arguing these would cut costs. Yet, such approaches merely shift the burden onto families, forcing them to pay exorbitant prices or forgo care entirely.

History underscores the weakness of this stance. Before the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, many lacked access to assistive devices, and even after the Affordable Care Act, gaps remained. California’s plan bridges these divides, proving that comprehensive coverage is both practical and essential. It rejects the idea that cost-cutting should come at the expense of human well-being.

The focus on market flexibility ignores the real-world impact of limited coverage. Without access to hearing aids, fertility treatments, or mobility devices, people face isolation, financial strain, and reduced quality of life. California’s leaders, supported by data and advocates, understand that investing in health now prevents far greater costs in the future.

California’s plan sets a powerful example for the country. By expanding essential health benefits, it establishes a new standard for inclusive and equitable healthcare. While states like North Dakota and Virginia have updated their benchmark plans, California’s focus on fertility, hearing, and mobility services addresses overlooked needs with unmatched ambition.

This moment demands courage. As federal policies shift, California is taking responsibility for advancing healthcare access. The plan’s emphasis on underserved groups—people with disabilities, low-income families, and those seeking fertility care—reflects a dedication to justice. It proves that meaningful change is achievable, even amid challenges.

The path forward requires resilience. Federal approval is not guaranteed, and political opposition remains. Yet, California’s coalition of leaders, providers, and residents stands firm. Their shared vision—a healthcare system that serves everyone—offers hope and a model for others to follow.