it can happen. especially in California, because they have the population size to motivate health providers and pharma companies to negotiate.

it’s not likely in the short term with the way the system is. and the problem which prevents it is not the economics nor legislative lack of will.

it’s the insurance companies’ lobbying and political campaign contributions. many many California legislators’ campaigns are funded by insurance companies. and historically there has been a lot of corruption in the state’s insurance regulator agency.

also the state’s population , for some reason, are easily swayed by political ads in certain issues. like the car-share/delivery gig drivers proposition. i think they flip flopped in successive referendums. apologies if in wrong in that.

the law is not banning all sex for <18. Notice how its <18 AND age difference.

same age pair , no matter how young, would not face any criminal charges. (one set of parents might file a lawsuit against the other parents, but that could happen at any age)

under 18 + 3 year age gap + sex = statutory rape in many US States and many countries