Health care includes the prevention, treatment, and cure of physical and mental health issues that may affect human beings. Legal issues related health care may arise—including issues related to (1) the provision of health care services; (2) the payment for health care services—by individuals or by insurance; (3) the privacy of medical and health care records; and (4) the right to make health care decisions for ourselves and others.

In California, health care law encompasses a variety of regulations and statutes that address the provision, payment, privacy, and decision-making authority related to health care services. The provision of health care services is regulated by state licensing boards, and health care providers must adhere to professional standards and state laws. Payment for health care services can be made out-of-pocket by individuals, through private health insurance, or through public programs like Medi-Cal. California has robust privacy laws, such as the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), which protect the privacy of medical and health care records, ensuring that personal health information is securely maintained and shared only with proper consent or as legally required. Additionally, California's Health Care Decisions Law allows individuals to make their own health care decisions, including the right to accept or refuse medical treatment, and to create advance health care directives. The state also has provisions for surrogate decision-making for individuals who are unable to make their own health care decisions.