BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair AB 673 (J. Perez and Lara) Hearing Date: 8/25/2011 Amended: 6/1/2011 Consultant: Katie Johnson Policy Vote: Health 6-3 _________________________________________________________________ ____ BILL SUMMARY: AB 673 would require the Office of Multicultural Health (OMH) within the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to consider the health care needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities in performing its duties. _________________________________________________________________ ____ Fiscal Impact (in thousands) Major Provisions 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Fund Staff to perform new $30 $60 $60 General duties related to LGBT communities _________________________________________________________________ ____ STAFF COMMENTS: SUSPENSE FILE. Existing law establishes the Office of Multicultural Health (OMH) and requires it to, for the state's diverse ethnic and racial communities, on behalf of the California Department of Public Health and the Department of Health Care Services: 1) develop strategic plans and goals to close the gaps in health status and access to care; 2) conduct policy analysis related to multicultural health; 3) coordinate state-funded pilot and planning projects that would improve the effectiveness of services; 4) communicate and disseminate relevant information; 5) act as a liaison within the departments to providers of health, social, educational, and support services for these communities; 6) consult with representatives of the respective communities, perform internal staff training, assess internal staff cultural competency, and train health care professionals to ensure more culturally and linguistically competent care; 7) serve as a resource for ensuring that programs keep data and information regarding ethnic and racial health > (>) Page 1 strategies that address multicultural health issues; 8) encourage innovative responses by public and private entities attempting to address multicultural health issues; 9) provide technical assistance; 10) prepare a biennial report to the Legislature on the office's activities. This bill would require OMH to additionally perform the above duties as they relate to LGBT communities. There would be an ongoing annual cost of $60,000 for half a staff position to conduct the new duties commencing January 1, 2012. To the extent that OMH's efforts related to this bill increase access and the number of services provided to LGBT communities by public health care programs, including the Medi-Cal program, there could be increased state General Fund, local funds, and federal funds costs. Medi-Cal costs are shared 50 percent General Fund and 50 percent federal funds.