GOVERNOR PROPOSES REORGANIZATION OF DHS
On April 18th, the Governor proposed splitting the Department of Health Services into two separate departments. The Department of Public Health would focus on emergency preparedness for threats from epidemics, natural disasters and bioterrorism and oversee the care of nursing home residents. DPH would have a budget of about $4 billion. The Department of Health Care Services would oversee the state's $30 billion Medi-Cal program. It would focus on issues of quality, access, delivery system, service levels and rates of payment. Organizational separation is slated to be budget neutral, but future budgets of the departments would have additional costs due to separate legislative, administrative and IT units. An organizational chart is available on the DHS website and comments about the proposal can be sent to DHS Reorg. The Governor plans to have the separate departments up and functioning by July 1, 2007. CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
To read the entire bill listed below, go to Legislative Counsel of the State of California. Scroll down to the search field and type in the bill number. To find other health bills, type in the Keyword (eg, Medi-Cal) and click on the Keyword button before submitting your request. To write your Representative, please go to Contact your Lawmaker on left side of this page. AB 977: Healthcare Review Process
Author: Assemblymember Pedro Nava
Bill Status: This bill failed passage from the Senate Banking, Finance & Insurance Committee, but was granted reconsideration on June 22nd.
Summary: AB 977 would require health plans and insurers to apply for approval to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) and Department of Insurance (DOI) prior to offering a health coverage plan that requires co-pays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. It would also create a mechanism for limiting out-of-pocket costs by providing guidelines for DMHC and DOI review. DHMC and DOI would be required to provide public notice and seek public comment at least 60 days before making a decision to provide consumers a voice in designing health benefits. AB 1888: University of California Obesity, Diabetes and Related-Illness Center
Author: Assemblymember Mervyn Dymally
Bill Status: The bill was held under submission in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 25th.
Summary: This bill requests that the Regents of UC establish and administer an institute for the study of the Phenomenon of Obesity and Diabetes Experimental Research (PODER) at UC Irvine in coordination with Drew University of Medicine and Science and establish clinics to focus on individuals or groups with diabetes and or obesity. AB 1948: Children's Health Enrollment
Author: Assemblymember Cindy Montanez
Bill Status: The bill was read a second time, amended, and re-referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations with a hearing date of August 7th.
Summary: AB 1948 asks the State Department of Health Services to condense the current "two-step" application process for the CHDP Gateway into one simple application. Currently, families can use the CHDP Gateway to enroll in temporary coverage for two months. If a follow up application is not submitted, coverage is terminated. The bill simplifies this two-step enrollment process into one application. Eligible children could enroll into Medi-Cal and Healthy Families through the electronic CHDP Gateway system and maintain preliminary benefits until the county makes a final eligibility determination. AB 2384: Healthy Purchases Pilot Program
Author: Assemblymember Leno
Bill Status: The bill was read a second time, amended, and re-referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations with a hearing date of August 7th.
Summary: This bill would create both the supply of and demand for fresh fruits and vegetables in low-income communities. First, the bill would provide grants and technical assistance to "mom & pop" grocery stores to help them sell fresh produce. Second, the bill would create a bonus value for fresh produce purchases made with food stamps. SB 437: California Healthy Kids Insurance Program Author: Senator Martha Escutia
Bill Status: This bill was read for the third time and amended on May 11th.
Summary: SB 437 would create the California Healthy Kids Insurance Program (CHKIP). The program would expand Healthy Families and Medi-Cal health coverage programs to uninsured children of families with household incomes up to 300% FPL (about $60,000 for a family of four). The current limit is 250% FPL. The bill would have provisions to make it easier for families to enroll and keep their children covered and build upon the successes of local Children's Health Initiatives. In 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 772, SB 437's companion bill, because it did not provide a funding source. This year, supporters joined with other health organizations to support the Tobacco Tax Act of 2006. This initiative would raise funds through an additional cigarette tax of $2.60 per pack, which would be used to fund CHKIP as well as tobacco disease prevention, medical research, and emergency room care (see Health Matters 12/20/2005 for more information on the Tobacco Tax). SB 840: California Health Insurance Reliability Act
Author: Senator Sheila Kuehl
Bill Status: SB 840 was read a second time, amended, and re-referred to Assembly Committee on Rules on July 12th.
Summary: SB 840 establishes the California Health Insurance Reliability Act. The plan would replace public and private health insurance and would be funded by consolidating the public money spent on healthcare and replace the premiums, copays, and deductibles paid by individuals and employers with premiums paid to the system. SB 1784, introduced by Senator Kuehl this year, establishes the mechanism to collect premiums and consolidate state and federal funding. SB 1301 Health Facilities: Reporting & Inspection Requirements
Author: Senator Elaine Alquist
Bill Status: The bill was read a second time, amended, and re-referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee and is set for hearing on August 9th.
Summary: The bill increases standards for enforcement in hospitals to be comparable to those in nursing homes. Currently, there is no statutory requirement for DHS to investigate complaints within a certain timeframe. This bill enhances the oversight of health facilities by increasing the frequency of inspections and making them unannounced, and requiring the reporting and investigation of medical errors in hospitals. SB 1329: Community Development, Healthy Food Choices
Author: Senator Elaine Alquist
Bill Status: The bill was re-referred to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture on June 27th.
Summary: This bill is intended to create a statewide development program for low-income communities. It would authorize the establishment of a program to provide financial incentives to large supermarket chains, independent grocers, farmers' markets, etc. in underserved, under-resourced communities. It would provide loans and grants to establish grocery stores; revitalize existing markets, particularly small corner stores; establish and enhance farmers' markets. JOIN THE COALITION FOR QUALITY HEALTHCARE
The Coalition for Quality Healthcare is an umbrella group organized in 1998 to protect the interests of the community and patients when hospitals are sold. Coalition members share a commitment to access to quality healthcare for all residents, particularly the underserved, uninsured and underinsured. Membership in the Coalition is made up of local residents, community organizations, labor, healthcare and consumer advocates such as AGENDA, California Nurses Association, Consumers Union, SEIU, California Women's Law Center, National Health Law Project, and others. The Coalition believes that strong public oversight and accountability are necessary to protect consumers, the public's health and the healthcare infrastructure. The Coalition is working to ensure that the sales of hospitals in Los Angeles and Orange Counties are conducted within a public process with input and consultation with the affected communities. Responsible ownership and community participation can ensure that these transactions proceed smoothly, and do not result in diminished healthcare resources. We ask prospective buyers, future owners and the governmental agencies that will oversee and approve these transactions to incorporate our Statements of Principles in their deliberations and agreements. Read the Statement of Principles, see who has already signed on and join the Coalition.
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