Medi-Cal

SB 7 (Steinberg) – Pending
As Amended on January 4, 2012

SB 7, by Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, was amended this week to include language regarding the Department of Health Care Services’ plan to begin a pilot program in up to 10 counties for individuals who are eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare.

Current law authorizes a dual eligible beneficiary pilot in four counties to begin January 1, 2013. The term “dual eligible beneficiary” refers to persons eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare. The Administration and Legislature have been discussing ways to improve care coordination for seniors and persons with disabilities since 2010, particularly in the context of the state’s Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver.

The dual eligible beneficiary pilots will provide managed care plans with a blended payment consisting of federal, state and county funds and responsibility for the full array of health and social services to dual eligible beneficiaries. Making long-term care services a managed care benefit is intended to increase access to home and community-based medical and social services. The larger goal is to allow beneficiaries to remain in their homes and out of institutions. The dual eligible pilot also appears in the Governor’s budget, which was released yesterday. 

CSAC has participated in discussions with DHCS regarding the structure and implementation of the dual eligible pilot program, and will continue to actively participate as this proposal moves forward as part of the legislative and budget process. For more information on the state’s vision for the pilots, please visit the DHCS Dual Eligible Technical Workgroup page.

CalWORKs

AB 479 (Nestande) – Oppose
As Proposed to be Amended

AB 479, by Assembly Member Brian Nestande, originally focused on the In Home Supportive Services program, but the author plans to amend it to eliminate CalWORKs safety net grants for children after parents or guardians have reached their 48-month lifetime limit on aid. 

CSAC and the County Welfare Directors have both sent letters opposing the proposed amendments. The author will propose the amendments when the bill is heard in the Assembly Human Services Committee on January 10. 

AB 1140 (Donnelly) – Oppose
As Introduced on February 18, 2011

AB 1140, by Assembly Member Tim Donnelly, would reduce the maximum lifetime limit for CalWORKs benefits from the current 48 months to 6 months.

AB 1140 is scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Human Services Committee on January 10. 

Public Health

SB 554 (Yee) – Request for Comment
As Proposed to be Amended

SB 554, by Senator Leland Yee, originally focused on enforcement of nurse-to-patient ratios in hospital settings, but the author plans to amend it to instead require hospitals to provide five days of direct care observation for visiting, pert-time, and traveling nurses before their presence would count in the nurse-to-patient ratio. 

Counties are encouraged to contact Farrah McDaid Ting at fmcdaid@counties.org with comments or concerns about the measure as amended. The Senate Health Committee will hear SB 554 on January 11.