AB 414, as introduced, Chávez. Office of Rural Health.
Existing law requires the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency to establish an Office of Rural Health, or an alternative organizational structure, to serve as a key information and referral source to promote coordinated planning for the delivery of health services in rural California.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to this provision.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 1179.1 of the Health and Safety Code is
2amended to read:
(a) The Secretary of thebegin insert Californiaend insert Health andbegin delete Welfareend delete
4begin insert Human Servicesend insert Agency shall establish an Office of Rural Health,
5or an alternative organizational structure, in one of the departments
6of thebegin insert Californiaend insert Health andbegin delete Welfareend deletebegin insert
Human Servicesend insert
Agency to
7promote a strong working relationship between state government
8and local and federal agencies, universities, private and public
P2 1interest groups, rural consumers, health care providers, foundations,
2and other offices of rural health, as well as to develop health
3initiatives and maximize the use of existing resources without
4duplicating existing effort. The office or alternative organizational
5structure shall serve as a key information and referral source to
6promote coordinated planning for the delivery of health services
7in rural California.
8(b) To the extent funds are appropriated by the Legislature,
9these efforts may include:
10(1) Educating the public and recommending appropriate public
11policies regarding the viability of rural health care in California.
12(2) Monitoring and working with state
and federal agencies to
13assess the impact of proposed rules and regulations on rural areas.
14(3) Promoting community involvement and community support
15in maintaining, rebuilding, and diversifying local health services
16in rural areas.
17(4) Encouraging and evaluating the use of advanced
18communications technology to provide access to health promotion
19and disease prevention information, specialty expertise, clinical
20consultation, and continuing education for health professionals.
21(5) Encouraging the development of regional health care and
22public health networks and collaborative efforts, including, but
23not limited to, emergency transportation networks.
24(6) Working with state and local agencies, universities, and
25private and public interest groups to promote
research on rural
26health issues.
27(7) Soliciting the assistance of other offices or programs of rural
28health in California to carry out the duties of this part.
29(8) Disseminating information and providing technical assistance
30to communities, health care providers, and consumers of health
31care services.
32(9) Promoting strategies to improve health care professional
33recruitment and retention in rural areas.
34(10) Encouraging innovative responses by public and private
35entities to address rural health issues.
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