Senate pro Tempore Kevin de Lèon announced committee chairs this
week. The following is a summary of the key health and human
services posts.
Senate Health Committee: Senate pro Tempore reappointed
Senator Ed Hernandez, O.D., to chair the Senate Health Committee.
Senator Hernandez – a former health care provider in
predominantly low-income communities – chaired the Senate Health
Committee the last several years.
On December 1, the California Senate and Assembly convened their
organizing sessions for the 2015 Legislative year. The desks
remain open for both houses, allowing new bills to be introduced,
but the full Senate and Assembly will not reconvene until January
5.
Health and Human Services at the CSAC Annual Meeting
CSAC’s 120th Annual Meeting is next week, November 17 – 20.
The following events will be of particular interest to the health
and human services sector:
The Health and Human Services Policy Committee will meet on
Tuesday, November 18 at 2:30 p.m. and will discuss Orange
County’s “Eat. Play. Breathe.” campaign, the Section 1115 Waiver,
Medi-Cal Eligibility, IHSS, Relative Caregivers, and CSAC’s HHS
platforms.
The Department of Health Care Services – in partnership with the
California Endowment, the California Health Care Foundation and
the Blue Shield of California Foundation – is convening a
stakeholder workgroup process to further develop concepts for the
1115 Medicaid Waiver Renewal. Workgroups include:
LAO Report: Integrating Health and Human Services Eligibility and
Enrollment Processes
On Thursday, October 30, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO)
released a report focused on the integration of three key Health
and Human Services (HHS) Programs: Medi-Cal, Cal Fresh and
CalWORKs. In this report, the LAO assesses the steps California
has taken to promote HHS integration, the challenges to
integration stemming from the Affordable Care Act, and
legislative next steps.
On Tuesday, October 21, the Legislature held a Joint Hearing of
the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and the Senate
Health Committee to discuss the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery
System (DMC-ODS). Please recall that the Department of Health
Care Services (DHCS) is proposing to better organize and
coordinate the Drug Medi-Cal program. The committees heard
testimony from state officials, county officials, treatment
providers and health plans.
I am deeply saddened by the news that Grantland Johnson died
today.
My first introduction to state government and politics came from
two former Sacramento County supervisors: Sandy Smoley and
Grantland Johnson. At the time, I had no idea I would eventually
end up at CSAC.
The Senate and Assembly will hear both Medicaid expansion bills,
SBX1 1 (Hernandez) and ABX1 1 (Pérez), in their respective Health
Committees next week. The Assembly Health Committee will also
hear SBX1 3 (Hernandez), which is the measure to create a
“Bridge” program between Medi-Cal and the health care exchange
(Covered California).
Measures to Restore Medi-Cal Provider Rate Cuts Face Fiscal
Committees
Two measures – one in each House – designed to restore deep
Medi-Cal provider reimbursement cuts face tough sledding in the
Legislature’s fiscal committees.
Measures to Restore Medi-Cal Provider Rate Cuts Converge, Move
Through Legislature
A broad coalition of hospitals, doctors, and health advocates is
supporting two measures moving through the Assembly and Senate to
restore cuts to the rate that the state pays to Medi-Cal
providers in the 2011-12 state budget.
SB 346 (Beall) – Support
As Amended on April 2, 2013
SB 346, by Assembly Member Jim Beall, would allow county social
services and health departments within a county to share limited
eligibility information.
Rural Managed Care Expansion Postponed Until September 1
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) notified
stakeholders last week that the anticipated start date for the
rural managed care expansion has been moved from June 1 to
September 1, 2013. The later implementation date applies to all
28 counties in the proposed expansion.
SBX1 3 (Hernandez) – Support
As Amended on March 6, 2013
SBX1 3, by Senator Ed Hernandez, would create a health care
“Bridge Plan” to create a low-cost health plan through Covered
California that would help ensure provider continuity for
low-income individuals as they move between eligibility for
public and private health coverage. The CSAC Executive
Committee supported as similar measure by Senator Hernandez last
year (SB 703) that would have created a Basic Health Plan.
SBX1 3 (Hernandez) – Support
As Amended on March 6, 2013
SBX1 3, by Senator Ed Hernandez, would create a health care
“Bridge Plan” to create a low-cost health plan through Covered
California that would help ensure provider continuity for
low-income individuals as they move between eligibility for
public and private health coverage.
The CSAC Executive Committee supported as similar measure by
Senator Hernandez last year (SB 703) that would have created a
Basic Health Plan.
State Reaches Agreement to Settle Series of IHSS Lawsuits
The state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) reached an
agreement with In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) beneficiaries
and labor organizations on a series of lawsuits related to state
IHSS cuts over the last four years.
Senator Introduced Package of Bills to Alleviate Medical Provider
Shortage
Senator Ed Hernandez, chair of the Senate Health Committee,
introduced a three-bill package yesterday to allow existing
medical professionals to expand their scope of practice to
provide specified medical services.
Covered California Approves “Narrow Bridge” Plan, Must Be Enacted
by Legislature
The Board of Covered
California, the state’s health insurance exchange, voted to
pursue an option to provide continuous health care coverage to
individuals transitioning from Medi-Cal eligibility to Exchange
eligibility.
The state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has announced
the selection of health plans to provide Medi-Cal Managed Care
services in 28 rural counties.
ABX1 1 (Pérez) – Support
As Introduced on January 28, 2013
ABX1 1, by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, would implement
provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to streamline
eligibility and enrollment in the state’s Medi-Cal
system.
The Assembly Health Committee passed ABX1 1 on February 19 in
special session and referred it to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee.
Santa Clara Supervisor to Testify at Senate Budget Hearing on
Medi-Cal Expansion
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee will meet on
February 21 for an informational hearing titled “Evaluating State
and County Risks and Responsibilities for Medi–Cal Simplification
and Expansion under the Affordable Care Act.”
First Bills Introduced in Special Session on Health Care Reform
Both houses of the legislature have introduced measures in
Governor Brown’s week-old extraordinary legislative session on
health care reform, signaling lawmakers’ interest in moving
quickly to expand Medicaid and implement key provisions of the
Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Governor Opens Special Legislative Session on Health Care Reform
Governor Brown called an extraordinary legislative session on
health care reform yesterday, opening a legislative fast-track
for implementing policy related to the federal Affordable Care
Act (ACA) in California.
California Senate President Steinberg Proposes Federal Mental
Health Initiative in Wake of Gun Violence
California Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg
forwarded a mental health services framework to United States
Vice President Joseph Biden this week that seeks a $10 billion
federal investment in key mental health services.
Medicaid Expansion Achievable With Minimal Costs, Says Report
A new report indicates that a Medicaid expansion in California
under the Affordable Care Act is achievable with minimal state
costs.
The report, released this month by the University of California
Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education and the UC Los
Angeles Center for Health Policy Research, estimates that the
federal government will pay for at least 85 percent of new
Medi-Cal spending in 2014 through 2019 if the expansion takes
place.
Blue Shield Foundation Offers Grants for County Enrollment
Assistance in 2013
The Blue Shield Foundation of California has announced grant
opportunities for counties to assist in the transition of
enrollees from county Low Income Health Programs (LIHPs) to
Medi-Cal or the state’s health benefit exchange (Covered
California) under the Affordable Care Act. These grants are
available to county government agencies – including county health
systems – and county health, social services, and behavioral
health departments.
The state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released
a Request for Application (RFA) seeking health plans and
nonprofits interested in providing Medi-Cal Managed Care in 25
rural counties.
The California Health Benefit Exchange Board voted this week on a
brand name and logo for the Exchange: Covered California.
The brand name and logo will be used for marketing, outreach and
communication. At the next board meeting on November 14, the
final name, logo, tagline and web domain will be released.
State Announces Initial County Transition Plan for Healthy
Families Program
The state released the list of counties that will comprise the
first phase of the transition of about 800,000 Healthy Families
Program (HFP) children to Medi-Cal in 2013.
The exact date of the transition is pending federal approval, but
the 2012-13 Budget Act authorized the state to begin
transitioning children as soon as January 1, 2013. The
legislation outlined four phases, and the state has divided the
first phase into A and B components.
CSAC and Partners Release In-Home Supportive Services FAQ
CSAC, with the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) and
the California Association of Public Authorities (CAPA), has
released a helpful
guide of frequently asked questions about the new
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) statewide bargaining and
county maintenance of effort requirements enacted in the 2012-13
State Budget Act.
AB 43, by Assembly Member William Monning, would have required
the state Department of Health Care Services to begin planning
for the transition of individuals into Medi-Cal as required in
2014 by the federal Affordable Care Act.
Specifically, AB 43 required state planning to transition adults
from county-run Low Income Health Plans (LIHP), established under
California’s Bridge to Reform Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration
waiver approved in 2010, into Medi-Cal.
The UCLA Center for Health Policy research has released policy
note on “Successful Strategies for Increasing
Enrollment in California’s Low Income Health Program
(LIHP).” The 20-page report, generated with help from 20
county LIHPs, spotlights the success counties have had in
enrolling nearly half a million new clients into local health
plans. The report also outlines successful outreach, enrollment,
retention and redetermination strategies employed by the county
LIHPs.
AB 1998 (Achadjian) – Support
Chapter 245, Statutes of 2012
Governor Brown signed AB 1998, by Assembly Member Katcho
Achadjian, into law on September 7, 2012. This measure will help
counties bridge the “digital divide” for human services
recipients by allowing counties to donate surplus computer
property directly to recipients.
Spate of Budget Cleanup Bills Introduced This Week
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee met last night to
discuss a number of measures related to the state budget. The
measures are primarily technical clean-up to the 2012-13 state
budget act passed in June. The Committee pulled the bills off the
Senate floor; any additional amendments will be made on the
Senate floor next week. Senator Leno indicated that the Committee
may reconvene next week to hear additional bills.
AB 1560 (Fuentes) – Support
As Amended on May 25, 2012
AB 1560, by Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes, will help low-income
families who are eligible for the state’s Medi-Cal program to
also receive CalFresh nutritional benefits.
AB 1560 (Fuentes) – Support
As Amended on May 25, 2012
AB 1560, by Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes, will help low-income
families who are eligible for the state’s Medi-Cal program to
also receive CalFresh nutritional benefits.
AB 1560 (Fuentes) – Support
As Amended on May 25, 2012
AB 1560, by Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes, will help low-income
families who are eligible for the state’s Medi-Cal program to
also receive CalFresh nutritional benefits.
AB 1560 (Fuentes) – Support
As Amended on May 25, 2012
AB 1560, by Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes, will help low-income
families who are eligible for the state’s Medi-Cal program to
also receive CalFresh nutritional benefits.
Study Examines Who Will Gain Health Coverage Under the ACA
The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and the UC Berkeley
Labor Center have released a series of reports detailing regional
and county estimates of coverage under the Affordable Care Act in
2014.
The reports, funded by a grant from the California Endowment and
released on June 14, estimate that between 1.8 million and 2.7
million previously uninsured Californians will gain coverage by
2019.
AB 1691 (Lowenthal, B.) – Support
As Introduced on February 15, 2012
AB 1691, by Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal, would allow
non-English speaking CalWORKs recipients, which include refugees
and other legal immigrants, to participate in English as a Second
Language (ESL) instruction for eight months. Time spent in ESL
instruction would count as a core activity and counties would
have the option of extending ESL participation for up to 12
months on a case-by-case basis.
Full Budget Committee Review of May Revision Begins
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee met yesterday in
the first of several scheduled meetings to hear issues related to
the Governor’s May Revision proposals. The full Assembly Budget
Committee is expected to meet next week as well, as both houses
are working to present and vote on a full 2012-13 budget package
(including trailer bill language) by next Thursday, June 14. The
Constitutional deadline for the Legislature to vote on a budget
is June 15.
AB 1560 (Fuentes) – Support
As Amended on May 25, 2012
AB 1560, by Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes, will help low-income
families who are eligible for the state’s Medi-Cal program to
also receive CalFresh nutritional benefits.
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 and Senate Budget and Fiscal
Review Subcommittee No. 3 are beginning hearings to discuss the
Governor’s health and human services May Revise proposals.
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 began meeting yesterday, May
17, and is scheduled to hear budget items through May 31. Senate
Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 will meet on May 21,
22 and 24. The subcommittees will be taking on testimony on the
May proposals only.
AB 2352 (Hernández) – Support
As Introduced on February 24, 2012
AB 2352, by Assembly Member Roger Hernández, would allow CalWORKs
applicants and recipients to own reliable cars by deleting the
requirement that counties assess the value of a motor vehicle
when determining or redetermining CalWORKs eligibility.
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1, chaired by Assembly
Member Holly Mitchell, met on Wednesday to broadly discuss 2011
Realignment issues now that the first version of the relevant
budget Trailer Bill Language (TBL) has been released. The
Subcommittee left all issues open pending the release of the May
Revision Budget, but heard concerns from advocates about Drug
Medi-Cal program funding and county flexibility in offering the
Transitional Housing Program Plus (THPP) for foster youth aged 18
to 21.
Budget Hearings Continue with a Focus on Drug Medi-Cal and the
Governor’s Care Coordination Initiative
Budget hearings moved forward this week by focusing on the
transfer of Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) to counties under realignment
(Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1) and the Governor’s Care
Coordination Initiative (Senate Budget Subcommittee No.
3).
Both committees left the issues of interest to counties open
pending the release of the May Revision budget on May
14.
