BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 357
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 357 (Pan)
As Amended August 5, 2014
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |78-0 |(January 29, |SENATE: |34-0 |(August 25, |
| | |2014) | | |2014) |
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Original Committee Reference: HEALTH
SUMMARY : Renames the Healthy Families Advisory Board to the
Children's Health Advisory Board (CHAB) and transfers the
panel's advisory and reporting capacity from Managed Risk
Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB) to the Director of the
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on matters relevant to
all children enrolled in Medi-Cal and their families, as
specified.
The Senate amendments clarify that the CHAB maintain a
membership of 15 individuals, remove requirements for DHCS to
respond to panel recommendations and feedback in writing, and
add intent language.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : According to the author, as implementation of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) moves forward,
Healthy Families Program (HFP) participants transition to
Medi-Cal, and Medi-Cal enrollment increases, it is critical that
we have a process for providing stakeholder feedback regarding
Medi-Cal services provided to California's children. Following
the transition of all children in the HFP, nearly five million
children are expected to be enrolled in Medi-Cal. Additionally,
many of the approximately 460,000 children who are currently
eligible but not enrolled in Medi-Cal are expected to enroll as
outreach efforts associated with ACA implementation increase.
Once the transition of children from HFP into Medi-Cal is
complete, close to 50% of all children under the age of 18 in
California will be enrolled in Medi-Cal.
The author further states that, given the unique health needs of
children and in light of recent and impending changes to the
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Medi-Cal program, the need is greater than ever for children in
Medi-Cal to benefit from an effective and efficient stakeholder
advisory process so that California can insure that they are
receiving the best possible care.
The HFAB was established statutorily to advise MRMIB on HFP
policies, regulations, operation, and implementation. It is
comprised of 15 members, appointed by MRMIB, who serve three
year terms, and consists of subject matter experts such as
providers, health care delivery organizations, medical and
dental providers, a business representative, and subscriber
parents. Effective January 1, 2014, HFAB transitioned to DHCS
along with the rest of HFP. The role of HFAB after transition
is currently unclear. Stakeholders and the Advisory Board
itself have made suggestions regarding the future role. These
include more frequent meetings, direct reporting to the Director
of DHCS and expansion of the role, to advise on all children in
Medi-Cal. The HFAB also recommends maintaining the existing
scope which includes advising on all policies, regulations and
operations, submitting recommendations formally in writing and a
written response, when not implemented on the reasoning for the
non-implementation. In addition HFAB would have
responsibilities with regard to monitoring and performance
reports including evaluating aspects of the program and making
recommendations.
Recent United States Census Bureau numbers show there were about
9.3 million children under the age of 18 in California during
July 2012. During the same month there were 3.6 million
children enrolled in the Medi-Cal program, accounting for
roughly 39% of all children under the age of 18 in the state.
The California children's health coverage coalition, comprised
of the Children's Partnership, Children Now, Children's Defense
Fund-California, PICO California, the California Coverage and
Health Initiatives, and United Ways of California support this
bill, stating that in the 15 years that the HFAB has been
operating, it has made recommendations that have helped to
improve the quality of care for children in HFP, and has been an
important space for parents of enrollees and other experts to
discuss ways to improve the program, and that this bill is a
means to ensure that children and families will continue to have
a strong voice at DHCS.
The California Medical Association supports this bill writing
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that given the significant programmatic and eligibility changes
currently underway in Medi-Cal, a strong stakeholder advisory
group process is vital to ensure access and quality of care is
not compromised. The California Teachers Association also
writes in support, stating that there is a lack of focus on the
health of children, and this important legislation shines the
spotlight on a vulnerable population.
This bill has no known opposition.
Analysis Prepared by : Paula Villescaz / HEALTH / (916)
319-2097
FN:
0004910