AB 2098 (Low) Doctor COVID-19 Mis/Dis-information bill
is signed into law

September 29, 2022 Update: AB 2098 Doctor COVID-19 MisinformationSchool COVID-19 Testing Bill, introduced by Asm Evan Low, was signed into law today by Governor Newsom.  Starting January 1, 2023, in California, Medical Doctors and Osteopathic Doctors will be disciplined for unprofessional conduct if they "disseminate misinformation or disinformation related to COVID-19, including false or misleading information regarding the nature and risks of the virus, its prevention and treatment; and the development, safety, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines."  Misinformation is defined as "false information that is contradicted by contemporary scientific consensus contrary to the standard of care."  With the ever mutating variants, changing vaccine efficacy and influx of treatments, there cannot be “contemporary scientific consensus” or “standard of care” for COVID for many years to come.  While Governor Newsom's signing statement (https://gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ab2098-signing-message.pdf) makes the bill sound narrowly tailored, but his letter holds no weight in front of the Medical Board or a court of law, and therefore is just lipstick on a pig.  Physicians and Surgeons are going to be stifled in their practice, and innovation and medical advancements will be all but dead when it comes to COVID-19 science in California. Californians have witnessed this happen with Medical Exemptions for Vaccines, where doctors have been witch-hunted for going against the standard of care, even if their medical opinions are backed up by scientific evidence.

While the bill was heavily amended during the legislative process, A Voice for Choice Advocacy opposed the bill because it is unecessary and language was too broad.  Our legislative team worked hard to get legislators to vote against or abstain on this bill, and the Governor to veto the bill.  AVFCA is immensely thankful to other key organizations, specifically Californians for Good Governance, who lead and coordinated the opposition testimony on this bill.  

Over the past 7 years, A Voice for Choice Advocacy has established itself as the leading legislative organization lobbying in the California Capitol for your health rights.  While A Voice for Choice Advocacy's lobbying activity in the Capitol is important, your positive constituent relationships with your CA State Senator and Assembly Member and their staff are critical to assisting with A Voice for Choice Advocacy's efforts in the Capitol. We thank you for all your activism this year!  

If you found this information helpful and appreciate the work A Voice for Choice Advocacy is doing, please support us by making a donation today.

Together we can make change happen!

C

Christina Hildebrand
President/Founder
A Voice for Choice Advocacy, Inc.
[email protected]
www.AVoiceForChoiceAdvocacy.org