Existing law governs the delivery of health care services to persons in the state through private and public means. Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of that act a crime. Existing law also provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid Program provisions.
This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would create a blue
ribbon commission that would study how the state can move toward ensuring health coverage for all Californians. create the 9-member Health Care for All Commission in the State Department of Health Care Services, for the purpose of investigating and making recommendations on improving health care access and affordability for all Californians. The bill would require the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Speaker of the Assembly to each appoint 3 members of the commission, and require the commission to elect its chair from among its members. The bill would require the commission to meet quarterly between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2020, and during that time period investigate issues related to improving health care access and affordability for all Californians. The bill would, following the investigation, require the commission to provide a report and recommendations regarding its findings to the Legislature.
The bill would require the State Department of Health Care Services to provide general support and staff assistance to the commission.