Upcoming Meetings

CSAC Health and Human Services Policy Committee

The CSAC Health and Human Services Policy Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, March 25 at 3 p.m. via conference call. In addition to providing a legislative and budget update, there will also be an update regarding California’s Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver renewal and a review of current tobacco-related legislation. The agenda and meeting materials have been sent to the policy committee members. To be added to the HHS policy committee, please send your contact information to Amanda Yang at ayang@counties.org.

CSAC Poverty Working Group

The CSAC Poverty Working Group will meet on Thursday, March 26 at 3 p.m. via conference call. Chaired by Supervisors Kathy Long (Ventura), Leticia Perez (Kern), and Lee Adams (Sierra), the working group will examine issues of poverty in California and seek county-based solutions, ideas, and policy. The working group is open to all county supervisors, county staff, and affiliate and department-level staff. To join the working group, please email Amanda Yang at ayang@counties.org with your contact information.

Medi-Cal 2020: Waiver Renewal Paper Released

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) unveiled its draft Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver concept paper on March 16, 2015, followed by a webinar on March 18. The concept paper includes a number of proposals previously discussed with stakeholders. DHCS intends to submit a final proposal to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on March 27, 2015. They are currently soliciting feedback from stakeholders on the draft concept paper. Counties can submit comments to WaiverRenewal@dhcs.ca.gov. Additionally, DHCS is encouraging stakeholders to submit letters of support to CMS.

Background

California’s “Bridge to Reform” Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver expires on October 31, 2015. The current waiver provides approximately $10 billion to California over its five-year life, with $2 billion directly benefiting the state General Fund. The Brown Administration, under the leadership of DHCS, is moving forward to renew the waiver.

California’s waiver renewal, which is dubbed Medi-Cal 2020, represents the state’s vision for continued transformation of the Medi-Cal program’s delivery and payment systems. California is focused on critical aspects of health reform, including expanding access, improving quality and outcomes, and controlling the cost of care. DHCS believes the waiver proposal is also a framework for ensuring ongoing support for California’s safety net and ensuring the long-term viability of Medi-Cal and the Medicaid expansion. Medi-Cal 2020 makes the case for a waiver renewal worth $15 to $20 billion in federal funds for the next five years.

Medi-Cal 2020 Details

The paper details three key strategies for achieving the vision of Medi-Cal 2020:

• Delivery System Transformation and Alignment Programs. DHCS is proposing to “reinvent thinking on how to promote quality, improve health outcomes, expand access and promote cost efficiency” by creating six cross-cutting programs that DHCS believes will advance delivery system transformation:

1. Managed Care Systems Transformation & Improvement Program
2. Fee-for-Service Transformation & Improvement Program
3. Public Safety Net System Transformation & Improvement Program
4. Workforce Development Program
5. Increased Access to Housing and Supportive Services
6. Whole Person Care Pilots

• Public Safety Net Global Payment for the Remaining Uninsured. Transforming California’s public safety net for the remaining uninsured by unifying the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) and Safety Net Care Pool (SNCP) funding streams into a global payment system.

An Evaluation of the Mental Health Services Act

The Steinberg Institute along with the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California (CBHDA) conducted a survey to quantify the effectiveness of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). The Steinberg Institute and CBHDA prepared a report that publicly summarized the available data on MHSA from 2011/12 through June 2014. The report affirms that MHSA has benefited Californians by reducing hospitalizations, jail time, out-of-home placement for children, and improving the lives of thousands of people. The full report can be found here.

Resolutions

ACR 24 (Chu) – Support 
As Introduced on February 13, 2015

CSAC supports Assembly Concurrent Resolution 24, which was passed by the Assembly Floor. ACR 24 would acknowledge the month of April 2015 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and encourage the people of the State of California to work together to support youth-serving child abuse prevention activities in their communities and schools. This resolution now moves to the Senate.

HR 12 (Thurmond) – Support
As Introduced on February 26, 2015

CSAC supports House Resolution No. 12 which would resolve that March 2015 is proclaimed “Social Work Month” in California, commends the California Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers for their role in advancing professional social work and promoting the well-being of the people of California, and that all Californians take part in March “Social Work Paves the Way for Change” events throughout California. HR 12 was adopted by the Assembly this week.