BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2315
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2315 (Monning)
As Amended July 2, 2012
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |70-0 |(April 12, |SENATE: |35-0 |(August 29, |
| | |2012) | | |2012) |
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Original Committee Reference: HEALTH
SUMMARY : Corrects a reference in existing law related to
appointments by the Governor subject to Senate confirmation to
reflect the transfer of the Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA)
from the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) to the
California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHSA).
The Senate amendments make technical changes to address
chaptering out conflicts.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Subjects gubernatorial appointments to various boards and
commissions, including the OPA, to confirmation by the Senate.
2)Transfers the OPA from DMHC to CHHSA effective July 1, 2012,
and requires existing OPA duties to apply to health insurers
regulated by the California Department of Insurance and their
insureds (in addition to DMHC-regulated health plans).
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar
to the version approved by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : According to the author, existing law specifies that
the appointment of the head of the OPA within DMHC is subject to
Senate confirmation. However, the author notes that, pursuant
to AB 922 (Monning), Chapter 552, Statutes of 2011, the OPA was
moved from DMHC to CHHSA. This bill corrects existing law to
reflect that transfer.
The OPA is intended to provide consumers with a clear and
centralized source of assistance with obtaining and navigating
AB 2315
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public and private health care coverage and position California
to receive federal monies made available by the federal Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the purpose of
establishing and operating such an office. The author states
that it is imperative that the OPA serve as a single source of
correct and current information about ACA to enable Californians
to access the office and be given informed advice. Under AB
922, OPA was moved to CHHSA and DMHC was moved from the
Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to CHHSA. According
to the author, these moves were necessary in order to create a
clear internal chain of command for the Administration.
Analysis Prepared by : Cassie Royce / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097
FN: 0004375