Bill Text: CA AB342 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Medi-Cal: demonstration project waivers.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-10-19 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 723, Statutes of 2010. [AB342 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB342-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 342	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 18, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 13, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Bass and Jones
   (Coauthor: Senator Steinberg)

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2009

   An act to add Article 5.4 (commencing with Section 14180) to
Chapter 7 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to  Medi-Cal   Medi-Cal, and
declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately  .


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 342, as amended, Bass. Medi-Cal: demonstration project waiver.
   Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is
administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and
under which qualified low-income persons receive health care
benefits. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by
federal Medicaid provisions.
   This bill would require the department to submit an application to
the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a waiver
to implement a demonstration project that improves health care, as
specified. The bill would require the department to submit the waiver
application by a date that shall ensure that the waiver is approved
by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by
September 1, 2010. The bill would condition implementation of the
waiver upon the enactment of subsequent statutory authorization. 

   This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as
an urgency statute. 
   Vote:  majority   2/3  . Appropriation:
no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Article 5.4 (commencing with Section 14180) is added to
Chapter 7 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:

      Article 5.4.  Health Care Improvement Waiver


   14180.  (a) The department shall submit an application to the
federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a waiver to
implement a demonstration project that does all of the following:
   (1) Strengthens California's health care safety net, which
includes disproportionate share hospitals, for low-income and
vulnerable Californians.
   (2) Maximizes opportunities to expand coverage to eligible, but
uninsured populations.
   (3) Optimizes opportunities to increase federal financial
participation and maximizes financial resources to address
uncompensated care.
   (4) Promotes long-term, efficient, and effective use of state and
local funds.
   (5) Improves health care outcomes.
   (b) In developing the waiver application, the department shall
consult with interested stakeholders and the Legislature.
   (c) The department shall determine the form of waiver most
appropriate to achieve the purposes listed in subdivision (a).
   (d) The department shall submit the waiver application to the
federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by a date that
shall ensure that the waiver is approved by September 1, 2010.
   (e) If the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
approves the waiver, the department shall only implement the
demonstration project upon enactment of subsequent statutory
authorization.
   SEC. 2.    This act is an urgency statute necessary
for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety
within the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go
into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
 
   In order to ensure that health care for Californians is improved
at the earliest possible time, it is necessary for this act to take
effect immediately.