BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2315
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Date of Hearing: March 27, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
William W. Monning, Chair
AB 2315 (Monning) - As Introduced: February 24, 2012
SUBJECT : Governor's appointments: Senate confirmation.
SUMMARY : Revises existing law relating to Senate confirmation
of the head of the Office of Patient Advocate (OPA) to clarify
that the OPA is located within the California Health and Human
Services Agency (CHHSA).
EXISTING LAW :
1)Subjects gubernatorial appointments to various boards and
commissions, including the OPA, to confirmation by the Senate.
2)Provides for the regulation of health plans by the Department
of Managed Health Care (DMHC) under the Knox-Keene Health Care
Service Plan Act of 1975, and for the regulation of health
insurers by the California Department of Insurance (CDI).
3)Transfers the OPA from DMHC to CHHSA effective July 1, 2012,
and requires existing OPA duties to apply to health insurers
regulated by CDI and their insureds (in addition to
DMHC-regulated health plans).
4)Requires the OPA to consult with DMHC, CDI, the Managed Risk
Medical Insurance Board, the Department of Health Care
Services, and the California Health Benefit Exchange to
develop consumer educational and information guides.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS :
1)PURPOSE OF THIS BILL . 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.
2)OPA . The OPA is intended to provide consumers with a clear
AB 2315
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and centralized source of assistance with obtaining and
navigating 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, &
Housing Agency (BT&H) to CHHSA. According to the author,
these moves were necessary in order to create a clear internal
chain of command for the Administration.
3)RELATED LEGISLATION . AB 1869 (John A. Perez), also pending in
the Assembly Health Committee, would require the OPA to
provide, and assist in the provision of, outreach and
education regarding federal health benefits for veterans. AB
1869 is scheduled to be heard on March 27, 2012.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Cassie Royce / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097