January 6th, 2026
The Honorable Mia Bonta
Assembly Health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: MHAC Support for Prohibiting Cost-Sharing Requirements for Children and Youth
Dear Chair Bonta,
Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 298 (Bonta), legislation that would prohibit healthcare service plans from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for in-network services to individuals under 21 years of age.
MHAC is a peer-run organization leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to assist and encourage communities, families and individuals to experience hope, wellness and recovery from mental health and substance use disorder issues. The people and communities we aim to serve include those of all ages; sexual orientation, gender identity or expression; language, racial and ethnic backgrounds, national origin, and immigration status; spirituality and religious affiliations; or socioeconomic status. No one should be denied access to vital behavioral health supports and services regardless of their ability to pay.
From 2011 to 2022, expenditures for pediatric behavioral healthcare nearly doubled from 22.4% to 40.2%.[1] Simultaneously, there was an annual 6.4% increase in out-of-pocket expenditures. In 2022, 15.3% of children and youth ages 0-17 in California were living in poverty.[2] Rising healthcare costs make accessing care progressively difficult for low-income individuals and families, particularly children and youth. Co-pays, deductibles, and other cost sharing methods create significant financial barriers that prevent low-income individuals and families from even seeking care.
This bill prohibits those cost sharing methods from being levied onto children and youth under the age of 21. Without these added costs, more children and youth will be able to access care and won’t be deterred due to cost factors. With the demand for youth behavioral health services increasing, this bill will ensure our most vulnerable populations are able to seek care before experiencing a crisis.
It is for these reasons that MHAC supports AB 298 (Bonta). If you have any questions, or if MHAC can provide any assistance on this bill or any behavioral health related legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at kvicari@mhac.org or our Public Policy Coordinator, Danny Thirakul, at dthirakul@mhac.org.
In Community,
Karen Vicari
Director of Public Policy
Mental Health America of California
[1] Foster AA, Cushing AM, Hoffmann JA, Nash KA, Lee C, Michelson KA. Expenditures for Pediatric Behavioral Health Care Over Time and Estimated Family Financial Burden. JAMA Pediatr. Published online December 15, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.5181
[2] California Department of Public Health. (2025, August 1). Children in Poverty. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DMCAH/surveillance/Pages/Children-in-Poverty.aspx
