The Week Ahead
The Senate Budget Conference Committee will hold hearings on the fiscal year 2006-2007 state budget act. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) proposed budget includes plans to fund children's health insurance, emergency preparedness and mental health care.
California will hold its primary election. The 2006 primary election will determine party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and insurance commissioner, among other offices.
Committee meetings in the Senate and Assembly resume.
A timetable for phasing out medical services at Tuolumne General Hospital will be the focus of a meeting by Sonora County officials. The hospital is expected to lose $9.1 million this year and $8.3 million next year unless changes are made.
The Senate Health Committee will hold hearings on several health-related bills, including AB 959, which involves Medi-Cal reimbursement for health care facilities; AB 2360, which involves the purchase of ultrasound equipment; and AB 2918, which involves Medi-Cal and county organized health systems.
A proposed budget that includes increased spending on medical services for low-income adults, as well as funding for emergency preparedness to cope with an avian flu pandemic, will be the subjects of public hearings before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.