DHCS Director Toby Douglas Stepping Down from Office

Today Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley announced that Toby Douglas will step down as Director of the Department of Health Care Services by the end of the year. Mr. Douglas was appointed in early 2011 and has served in various leadership positions with DHCS since 2005. 

In his statement to stakeholders today, Mr. Douglas mentioned that he will begin his search for a new professional opportunity that will allow him to continue to work for improvement in the quality of health care and health outcomes, while also giving him more time to devote to the joys of family life. 

According to Director Douglas’ statement, Secretary Dooley will soon begin the process to vet candidates to fill the DHCS Director post. 

Medi-Cal

SB 1124 (Hernandez) – Support
Enrolled on September 2, 2014

SB 1124, by Senator Ed Hernandez, would limit estate recovery in California to those age 55 and over to only the health care services required to be recovered under federal law. It would also eliminate recovery against the estate of a surviving spouse of a deceased Medi-Cal beneficiary. SB 1124 requires DHCS to provide to Medi-Cal beneficiaries, free-of-charge, the total amount of Medi-Cal expenses paid on behalf of the beneficiary that are subject to estate recovery. This bill also requires DHCS to post information regarding how to request this information. 

CSAC supports SB 1124 as it aims to encourage individuals over the age of 55 to enroll in Medi-Cal by alleviating some key deterrents resulting from to estate recovery. CSAC recently sent a joint letter to the Governor requesting that he sign this measure into law.