AB 85 Implementation Update

AB 85 (Chapter 24, Statutes of 2013) contains the framework for implementing the county savings associated with the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act (ACA). One of the provisions of the measure allows counties that chose a cost-based formula under Articles 12 and 13 to submit petitions disputing the Department of Health Care Services’ determination of a county’s historic realignment percentage. Initially, eight counties submitted petitions. Since the submission deadline of February 28, four counties have withdrawn their petitions and settled the dispute with DHCS. 

The County Health Care Funding Resolution Committee is the body that will hear the petitions. It consists of three members: a representative from CSAC, the Department of Finance, and the Department of Health Care Services. The Committee is scheduled to meet the week of March 31 to hear the four counties’ petitions. The Committee will have until April 18 to issue a decision.
In other news, the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 heard a budget item this week related to AB 85 implementation. DHCS is requesting 18 new positions, including fiscal staff, an auditor, attorneys, and administrative law judges, to assist in AB 85 implementation. The Subcommittee held the item open pending the May Revision.

Public Health

AB 467 (Stone) – Support
As Amended on March 11, 2014

AB 467, by Assembly Member Mark Stone, would allow the California State Board of Pharmacy to license a surplus medication collection and distribution intermediary (SMCDI), with standards and safeguards to ensure the efficiency and safety of county Pharmaceutical Repository and Distribution Programs (SB 1329 by Senator Joe Simitian, Chapter 709, Statutes of 2012). 
CSAC supported SB 1329 and supports AB 467 to further clarify technical portions of Pharmaceutical Repository and Distribution Programs. The Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee passed AB 467 on January 13, and the Senate Appropriations Committee passed it on January 21. However, substantial amendments were taken on March 11, and the bill has been referred again to the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee. It is set for hearing on March 25. 

Social Services

SB 1029 (Hancock) – Support
As Amended on March 20, 2014

SB 1029, by Senator Loni Hancock, would authorize CalWORKs and CalFresh benefits for individuals in the community who were convicted of a drug felony after December 31, 1997. Recent amendments also require the Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) and the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA) to work with the Department of Social Services on implementation issues. CSAC supports the measure, which is set for hearing on April 8 before the Senate Human Services Committee. 

AB 1452 (Stone) – Support
As Introduced on January 8, 2014

AB 1452, by Assembly Member Mark Stone, would increase the amount of homeless assistance funding available to a family of four from $65 to $75. It would also require annual adjustments of the amount based on increases or decreases in cost of living expenses. CSAC supports the measure, which is set for hearing March 25 in the Assembly Human Services Committee.

AB 1654 (Bonilla) – Support
As Introduced on February 11, 2014 

AB 1654, by Assembly Member Susan Bonilla, would increase the amount of the child support pass through for those on CalWORKs aid from $50 for one child and $100 for a family with two or more children to $100 and $200 respectively. CSAC supports the measure, which is set for hearing on March 25 in the Assembly Human Services Committee. 
Medi-Cal

SB 1089 (Mitchell) – Support and Request for Comment
As Introduced on February 19, 2014

SB 1089, as amended by Senator Holly Mitchell, is sponsored by Los Angeles County and intended as a technical clean-up measure for AB 396 (Chapter 394, Statutes of 2011). AB 396 created a voluntary program that allows counties to draw down federal matching funds for the medical treatment of minors who are held in a juvenile justice facility and require hospitalization. SB 1089 seeks to clarify the county’s share of the costs and encourage the development of a claiming process.

CSAC is asking counties to examine SB 1089 and communicate any questions or concerns so that we may better work to resolve these issues for both the adult and juvenile systems. CSAC supports SB 1089, which will be heard by the Senate Health Committee on March 26. Please contact Kelly Brooks-Lindsey at with comments. Thank you.

Mental Health

SB 1054 (Steinberg) – Support
As Introduced on February 18, 2014

SB 1054, by Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, would resurrect the Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction (MIOCR) grant program by providing $25 million for juvenile offenders and $25 million for adult offenders in 2014-15. 
The competitive grant program would be administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections and disbursements would be made to counties that expand or establish a continuum of swift, certain, and graduated responses to reduce crime and criminal justice costs related to mentally ill offenders over four years. 

CSAC strongly supports Senator Steinberg’s efforts to target funding for intensive services to those who suffer from mental illness in the criminal justice system. The Senate Public Safety Committee will hear SB 1054 on April 22. CSAC will be submitting a joint Administration of Justice and Health and Human Services letter in strong support of the measure.