BILL ANALYSIS
SB 235
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 235 (Negrete McLeod)
As Amended July 19, 2007
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :29-7
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES 4-1 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Hernandez, Mullin, |Ayes:|Leno, Walters, Caballero, |
| |Swanson, Torrico | |Davis, DeSaulnier, |
| | | |Emmerson, Huffman, |
| | | |Karnette, Krekorian, La |
| | | |Malfa, Lieu, Ma, |
| | | |Nakanishi, Nava, Sharon |
| | | |Runner, Solorio, Feuer |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Anderson | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Authorizes retirees of the California State University
(CSU) to participate in the California State University Annuitant
Vision Care Program and requires the office of the Chancellor of
the CSU to administer the program for participating retirees.
EXISTING LAW , prior to enactment of AB 2242 (PER&SS Committee),
Chapter 611, Statutes of 2006, provided vision care for active
state employees only, not retirees. AB 2242 established, under
the administration of the Department of Personnel Administration
(DPA), a vision care program for state annuitants and their
dependents, at no cost to the state. The cost of the coverage is
paid for by the participant. Under the provisions of AB 2242,
annuitants of the CSU and the University of California are
prohibited from participating in the DPA administered vision care
program.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, all costs, including start-up and ongoing expenses
associated with administering the program, would be included in
premiums paid by participating annuitants.
COMMENTS : Under regulations and through collective bargaining
agreements, DPA has provided vision care benefits to approximately
176,000 active state employees and their dependents since 1986.
SB 235
Page 2
Until enactment last year of AB 2242, vision care benefits were
not made available to state retirees. The newly created Vision
Care Program for State Annuitants is in the process of an "open
enrollment" period and to date, over 30,000 retirees have
enrolled. The carrier is Vision Service Plan, and rates are
estimated at $8.78 per month per single participant, $17.12 per
month for a two party, and $18.43 per month for a party of three
or more.
Supporters state, "The ability to see plays an integral role in
retirees' level of mobility and independence. Many physical
ailments and diseases can be diagnosed at a much earlier stage if
regular and complete eye exams are conducted. Glaucoma and
cataracts can be effectively treated with comprehensive eye care.
Not only can early intervention save the eyesight of retirees, it
could also save money by reducing high-cost complications, serious
health problems and irrevocable vision loss?By having a vision
services program, retirees will be more likely to receive a
regular eye exam, update their lenses and maintain good visual
health."
Analysis Prepared by : Karon Green / P.E., R. & S.S. / (916)
319-3957
FN: 0002423