Medi-Cal
AB 2979 by Assembly member Keith Stuart Richman (R-Granada Hills) on May 1 was amended to authorize the Department of Health Services to establish a Medicare HMO wraparound pilot program in some counties. The program would ensure continuous coverage for beneficiaries while it examines more flexible managed care models that include services offered by Medi-Cal and Medicare. The legislation is intended to develop a statewide outreach and education program to increase enrollment in Medi-Cal. The amended version of the bill also would require, rather than authorize, the department to launch a plan that allows eligible individuals to receive continuous services that maximize community living. The bill was re-referred to the Assembly Health Committee and a hearing is scheduled for May 9 (StateNet, Subscription required).
AB 3000 by Assembly member Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) on May 3 was amended and now would use a portion of a federal Medicaid waiver relating to hospital funding to help expand health care insurance coverage to the uninsured. The bill would enact the Health Care Coverage Initiative Act to increase the number of California residents who have health insurance and prohibit the use of general fund money for the project. The bill was re-referred to the Assembly Health Committee (StateNet, Subscription required).