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October 30, 2014 - The integration of eligibility and enrollment processes of health and human services (HHS) programs has long been an important issue for the state. In this report, we focus on the integration of three key HHS programs: the California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal), CalFresh, and the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. We also raise several issues for legislative consideration, including (1) determining the appropriate balance between local control and standardized statewide processes, (2) considering whether automation systems currently under development could be leveraged to strengthen integration, and (3) considering whether additional programs should be integrated.
October 9, 2014 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Human Services
September 29, 2014 - Presented to: Assembly Health Committee; Assembly Judiciary Committee; Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee; Senate Health Committee Senate Judiciary Committee; Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee
June 2, 2014 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee
June 2, 2014 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee
June 2, 2014 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee
June 2, 2014 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee
June 2, 2014 - Presented to: Budget Conference Committee
April 10, 2014 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services
April 10, 2014 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government
March 26, 2014 - In January 2014, the FI$Cal Project submitted, and the Department of Technology approved, special project report (SPR) 5, which updates the project plans. The SPR 5 includes changes in the project's scope, implementation schedule, and future staffing levels. In this report, we find that SPR 5 reduces overall project risk and make recommendations concerning (1) the project's annual reporting requirement to the Legislature and (2) recruitment and retention issues. Ultimately, we believe that the benefits of proceeding with FI$Cal development outweigh the inherent risks that remain, and therefore recommend approval of the Governor’s budget proposal that reflects a reasonable funding plan to implement the updated project plan (SPR 5).
March 19, 2014 - In this report, we review the administration’s 2014-15 budget proposal to continue legal activities related to the suspended 21st Century Project (TFC). We find that the Governor’s 2014-15 budget proposes funding for outside legal counsel at roughly one-half of the State Controller's Office's (SCO) estimate of projected costs, and therefore recommend that the Legislature budget the full estimate instead. In addition, we find that an independent assessment of the TFC Project is a necessary precursor to addressing the state’s unmet need for an updated human resources management and payroll system. As the Governor's proposal lacks such an assessment, we recommend the Legislature appropriate additional resources to SCO for such an assessment. We provide details on what such an assessment should include.
March 11, 2014 - Presented to Senate Human Services Committee and Assembly Human Services Committee
February 20, 2014 - The report analyzes the Governor's 2014-15 health budget proposals. In it, we (1) provide an analysis of the impact the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)--known as federal health care reform--is having on the Medi-Cal program; (2) analyze the Governor's budget proposal to exempt certain, but not all, classes of Medi-Cal providers and services from retroactive recoupments of payment reductions; and (3) assess the fiscal outlook for the California Health Benefit Exchange, also known as Covered California.
February 20, 2014 - In this report, we analyze the Governor's 2014-15 human services budget proposals. In it, we (1) recommend that the Legislature consider modifications to the Governor's proposed response to new federal regulations concerning overtime in the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) programs; (2) find that although the Governor's California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) budget proposal raises valid concerns, the Legislature should reject the proposal; and (3) recommend several modifications to the Governor's comprehensive proposal to reform the Community Care Licensing (CCL) program in light of recent health and safety issues discovered at residential care and other CCL-licensed facilities.