Ortiz focused on health and passed the first law in the nation protecting embryonic stem cell research. She was the first legislator to ban sodas from primary and middle schools when she passed SB 677 in 2003. Ortiz passed laws that created the California Biomonitoring Program, established the California Lead Abatement standards program, established the standards for Chromium 6 in drinking water, and created the California Department of Public Health. Ortiz also authored the historic Cal Grant Scholarship Program that guarantees college grants for poor and working class students who attend California schools.