BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Senator McGuire, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: SB 571
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|Author: |Liu |
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|Version: |April 21, 2015 |Hearing |April 28, 2015 |
| | |Date: | |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant|Sara Rogers |
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Subject: Long-term care: CalCareNet
SUMMARY
Requires the California Health and Human Services Agency to
update the standards for the CalCareNet Internet Web site and to
create a CalCareNet Internet Web site, with specified features,
that provides information to consumers, caregivers and health
and social services providers and assists consumers, caregivers
and health and social service providers in making informed
decisions related to long-term care services.
ABSTRACT
Existing law:
1)Through federal law, enacts the Older Americans Act of 1965,
administered at the state level by California Department of
Aging (CDA) which contracts with a network of 33 Area Agencies
on Aging (AAAs) intended to coordinate and directly manage
various state and federal services for older Californians.
Created the National Eldercare Locator Service, a toll free
hotline for identifying community resources. (Pub.L. 89-73, 79
Stat. 218)
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2)Enacts the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act establishing
the CDA, appointing it with various duties, including the
development of the federally mandated State Plan on Aging.
(WIC 9000 et seq.)
3)Enacts various community based programs and services for older
Californians administered by various state agencies, including
In Home Supportive Services under the Department of Social
Services, Multipurpose Senior Services Program under CDA,
Medi-Cal and numerous Medicaid waiver programs under the
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Adult Protective
Services under both the California Department of Social
Services and CDA, Linkages administered by CDA, nutrition
services under CDA and the AAA's, Caregiver Resource Centers
under the Department of Mental Health and others. (WIC 9540 et
seq., WIC 14000 et seq., WIC 15500 et seq.)
4)Requires the California Health and Human Services Agency to
set standards for "CalCareNet" defined to be a self-directed
statewide Internet-based application designed to help the
consumer find the state-licensed providers of health services,
social services, mental health services, alcohol and other
drug services, and disability services, and to find
state-licensed care facilities. (WIC 9251 and WIC 9254)
This bill:
1)Establishes the intent of the legislature that CalCareNet
enable and facilitate individuals and families to remain
independent and receive support in the least restrictive
environment; consumers and caregivers to connect with
appropriate services; coordination and delivery of long-term
care services and supports to be improved and delivered in a
more cost-effective manner.
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2)Deletes the existing statutory description of CalCareNet,
describing it instead as an internet website.
3)Requires the California Health and Human Services Agency to do
all of the following:
a. Update the standards for the CalCareNet Internet Web
site and to create a CalCareNet website that provides
information to consumers, caregivers and health and
social services providers and assists consumers,
caregivers and health and social service providers in
making informed decisions related to long-term care
services.
b. Develop CalCareNet in the most cost-effective manner
with consideration of prior efforts to develop a
statewide website and existing state and regional
Internet Web sites with similar objectives, and explore
the benefits of combining the Internet Web site with
other state services and supports Internet Web sites, as
specified.
c. Analyze the cost-benefits of the agency developing
and maintaining the Internet Web site or contracting with
an outside company.
4)Adds the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers,
the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and
city-level programs, as specified, to the list of stakeholders
to be solicited for input by the Long-Term Care Council.
5)Requires the CalCareNet Internet Web site to provide
information to consumers and caregivers regarding state
programs for services and supports for aging and disabled
adults; eligibility and enrollment options for accessing
federal and state aging and long-term care programs;
nongovernmental programs and resources for services and
support of aging and disabled adults; state, federal and
nongovernmental services and supports for caregivers;
preventative care, wellness, advance planning and legal
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processes and rights.
6)Requires the CalCareNet Internet Web site to be accessible by
persons with disabilities, culturally sensitive and accessible
in multiple languages.
7)Requires the CalCareNet Internet Web site to include the
following features:
a. A modular and scalable system that easily permits
transition from a pilot project to statewide
implementation.
b. Different site pathways and diverse visual and
learning aid tools, including, but not limited to
flowcharts, graphics, a site map and multimedia tutorials
that are based on the visitor type.
c. Site standards for information accuracy and quality
assurance.
d. Rational taxonomy rules, based on best practices,
that allow for comprehensive and successful site
searches.
8)Requires the California Health and Human Services Agency to
secure cooperation from information providers, other system
administrators, marketing partners and service providers; to
examine alternative funding sources and mechanisms to sustain
and expand capacity over time; to explore the feasibility of
connecting CalCareNet to the California Health Benefit
Exchange; and to develop a system that enables counties and
planning service areas to contract with the agency for
Internet Web site development and maintenance services.
FISCAL IMPACT
This bill has not been analyzed by a fiscal committee.
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BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Purpose of the bill:
According to the author, California's population of residents 65
years old and older will grow from about 13 percent of the
population in 2015 to almost 20 percent of the population by
2030 and that the state is not prepared for this "silver
tsunami." The author states that the Senate Select Committee on
Aging and Long Term Care, chaired by the author, following
research and public hearings, concluded that California's aging
and long term care "system" of services and supports is
fragmented to the point of being almost impossible for
consumers, caregivers, and providers to navigate.
As a result of this fragmentation of programs at the state,
regional, and local levels, the author states that consumers
struggle to identify what services and supports they are
eligible to receive. Further, the author states they are not
able to locate resources, including home and community-based
services that can reduce their potential for institutional
placement.
The author notes that, in 2001, the state launched the
CalCareNet website, and this single website enabled Californians
to search for state-licensed facilities and LTC programs. The
website was expanded to include Home and Community Based
Services (HCBS) and to provide greater consumer-focus and was
later piloted in select counties through California Community
Choices. However, the author states that the project never
received additional funding for maintenance and expansion and
has since been taken offline. According to the author, this bill
re-boots CalCareNet with expanded purposes to assist consumers,
caregivers, and providers in navigating the complex array of LTC
programs, resources, services, and supports.
CalCareNet
CalCareNet was initially launched in 2001 to serve as a
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comprehensive website for consumers, caregivers, family members,
and providers seeking information on long-term care services and
supports. The initial website was soon taken off-line due to
"outdated technology architecture, poor upkeep, inaccurate and
ineffectual information, and limited accessibility."<1>
Pursuant to SB 953 (Vasconcellos, Chapter 541, Statutes of 2002)
the Health and Human Services Agency was subsequently required
to set standards for the website and create a new prototype web
site. Eventually the site was piloted in two counties, Orange
and Riverside. In planning for the pilot and eventual expansion,
the California Health and Human Services Agency created several
planning documents identifying the standards and features
intended for inclusion in the website. This bill is modeled on
many of the provisions identified in the Agency planning
documents.
Select Committee report
The Senate Select Committee on Aging and Long Term Care released
a report in January of 2015 entitled, "A Shattered System:
Reforming Long-Term Care in California" which states that
fragmentation and lack of integrated data at the state and local
level is the most critical issue facing California's Long Term
Care system. The report states that as a result of this
fragmentation, consumers struggle to identify and access
necessary home and community based services, resulting in
increased likelihood of hospitalization and institutional
placements.
Additionally, the report states that state administrative
structures lack coordinated oversight and accountability across
programs to monitor and improve system quality and that programs
lack consistent and meaningful data across the system, which
creates challenges for public policy decisions.
Related legislation:
SB 953 (Vasconcellos, Chapter 541, Statutes of 2002) required
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<1>http://communitychoices.info/docs/reports/CalCareNet%20Charter
%20Final%20111908.pdf
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the California Health and Human Services Agency, by January 1,
2005 to set standards for CalCareNet, which is a statewide
Internet-based application, with the goal of creating an
Internet site that links counties and planning service areas,
and provides information on the long-term care services
available to the consumer.
POSITIONS
Support:
AARP
Oppose:
None.
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