(1) Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which health care services are provided to qualified low-income persons under various health care delivery systems, including fee-for-service and managed care. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law authorizes the department to enter into various types of contracts for the provision of services to beneficiaries, including contracts with Medi-Cal managed care plans.
Existing law provides that in counties selected by the Director of Health Care Services with the concurrence of the county, a special county health authority may be established, and in any county, by ordinance, a special commission may be established, in order to meet the problems of delivery of publicly assisted medical care in each county, and to demonstrate ways of promoting quality care and cost efficiency. Existing law authorizes several counties, including the County of Alameda, to establish, by ordinance, a health authority, and specified counties, such as the Counties of San Joaquin and Tulare, to establish, by ordinance, a special county health commission.
This bill would authorize the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sacramento to establish, by ordinance, a health authority to perform specified duties, including negotiating and entering into contracts with health plans that the health authority designates to contract with the department. The bill would provide that any participating health plans shall be designated by the county for approval by the department, and that health plans approved by the department shall be eligible to contract with the department. The bill would require the health authority to be governed by a commission, would require the board to appoint commission members, and would require those members to include specified individuals, including representatives of community health centers and hospital systems that operate in the County of Sacramento. The bill would authorize the commission to establish advisory committees, such as an executive committee, and would prohibit members of the commission and advisory committees from receiving compensation for activities relating to their duties, except as specified. The bill would provide that a member of the commission shall not be deemed to be interested in a contract entered into by the department if the member is a Medi-Cal recipient or if certain facts apply, including that the member was appointed to represent the interests of physicians, health care practitioners, hospitals, or other health care organizations.
(2) Existing law authorizes the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services to establish a stakeholder advisory committee to provide input on the delivery of health care services provided in the county. Existing law requires the advisory committee to include specified individuals, such as representatives of Medi-Cal managed care health plans, and authorizes the advisory committee to submit written input to the department on various policies, including those that improve coordination with traditional and safety net providers.
This bill would make these provisions inoperative upon the establishment of a health authority in the County of Sacramento.
(3) This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the County of Sacramento.

Statutes affected:
SB 1029: 14089.07 WIC
03/19/20 - Amended Senate: 14089.07 WIC
04/29/20 - Amended Senate: 14089.07 WIC
05/14/20 - Amended Senate: 14089.07 WIC