Policy and Legislation Branch - Deputy Commissioner and CDI's Legislative Director

Commissioner Lara appointed Josephine Figueroa to the position of the Department's Legislative Director and Deputy Commissioner over the Policy and Legislation Branch on January 23, 2023. However, Josephine is not new to the Department's Legislative Branch, having joined it back in 2008 and serving in various roles with expanding responsibilities as a Deputy Legislative Director, Assistant Chief Deputy Legislative Director, and, most recently, as Chief Deputy Legislative Director. She has  also served as inaugural Assistant Chief of Commissioner Lara's newly created Health Equity and Access Office.

Since Commissioner Lara's first term in office, Josephine has helped develop important consumer protection public policies and legislation focused on expanding health coverage and promoting equitable access to care, including protecting the federal Affordable Care Act in California, in addition to working on legislation dealing with long-term care, annuity and life insurance, insurer solvency, general business operations, and adjusters.

Josephine provided leadership in advocating for enactment of Commissioner Lara's "Parent Healthcare Act" and "California Abortion and Reproductive Equity Act." She pushed to expand access to health coverage and services for women, students, LGBTQ+individuals, and historically underserved communities.

She previously worked in the California State Legislature for 13 years as a senior staff member for several elected officials, including current U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, current Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and former Assembly Health Committee Chair Martin Gallegos, among other state legislators.

Josephine received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Master's Degree in Public Policy and Education from California State University, Sacramento.

The Policy and Legislation Branch was established in 2019 to oversee major policy initiatives and special initiatives of the Insurance Commissioner that are department-wide and across multiple branches in line with the Commissioner's vision and main goals.

This Branch houses the Department's Legislative Office, the Insurance Diversity Initiative, the California Organized Investment Network Program, the Health Equity and Access Office and the Appointments Office as well as helps coordinate the implementation of major chaptered legislation and department-wide innovation policy efforts.

The Policy and Legislation Branch consists of:

• Legislative Office
• Insurance Innovation
• Insurance Diversity Initiative
• California Organized Investment Network
• Health Actuarial Office
• Health Equity and Access Office