Gov. Davis Signs Several Health Bills into Law
As the California Legislature nears the end of the 2001 session, Gov. Gray Davis (D) has signed the following bills:
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AB 68, sponsored by Assembly member Carole Migden (D-San Francisco), allows nursing agencies to choose between a license as a home health agency, which is geared toward seniors and uses Medicaid guidelines, or a Private Duty Nursing Agency, which would serve disabled children in "home-like settings."
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AB 480, sponsored by Assembly member Rod Pacheco (R-Riverside), allows the Cancer Research Fund to accept grants and donations from private sources, as well as public funds (Office of the Governor release, 9/6).
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AB 532, sponsored by Assembly member David Cogdill (R-Modesto), requires a study by the Legislative Analyst on the operation of health care plans in rural California. A report to the Legislature and the Department of Managed Health Care is due by July 1, 2002 (Office of the Governor release, 9/1).
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AB 656, sponsored by Assembly member Wilma Chan (D-Alameda), allows county-owned acute care hospitals that meet certain conditions a one-year extension on the deadline to comply with "nonstructural performance category 2 seismic requirements."
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AB 668, sponsored by Chan, requires by June 30, 2002, a report from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development covering the "feasibility of establishing a California dental loan forgiveness program," an estimate of the dentist-to-patient ratio in the next 10 years and the "future need for dentists and dental care in underserved communities" (Office of the Governor release, 9/6).
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AB 826, sponsored by Assembly member Rebecca Cohn (D-Saratoga), "allows pharmacists to initiate a drug regimen of a patient pursuant to a physician's protocol and eliminates restrictions on where a pharmacist is permitted to provide clinical" or other advice. Current law allows pharmacists only to adjust drug regimens and prohibits them from advising patients outside a licensed facility or pharmacy (Office of the Governor release, 9/5).
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AB 973, sponsored by Chan, makes any information regarding the physical or mental health of or substance abuse by a child confidential, unless necessary to provide services. Information can be disclosed with written consent from the child's parent or legal guardian or if the information is covered under the Public Records Act.
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AB 1194, sponsored by Assembly member Lou Correa (D-Anaheim), allows physician assistants and nurse practioners to determine and report on injured workers' benefits through workers' compensation (Office of the Governor release, 9/1).
- AB 1177, sponsored by Assembly member Thomas Calderon (D-Montebello), allows health care providers to negotiate different reimbursement rates than those of the Official Medical Fee Scheduler, which sets the maximum fees for services provided related to workers' compensation (Office of the Governor release, 9/6).