To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.
February 20, 2002 - The state is at risk of losing $750 million in unspent federal State Children's Health Insurance Program funds over the next two years in the absence of congressional action. We suggest the Legislature work with the congressional delegation regarding the availability of these funds. We also present examples of options to minimize this potential loss of federal funds.
February 20, 2002 - The Governor has recently indicated support for the Healthy Families parent expansion in the budget year. Should the Legislature wish to proceed with the expansion in the budget year, we offer an alternative for doing so at a reduced state cost.
February 20, 2002 - We agree in concept with the Governor's plan to eliminate the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program. However, we note that there are problems with the proposal that need to be addressed such as its impact on community health clinics and access to care for children previously served by CHDP.
February 20, 2002 - We review options for reform of the medical system that now provides care for a majority of Medi-Cal beneficiaries. We suggest the Legislature consider changing the way managed care rates are set, increasing competition among health plans, and enrolling the elderly and disabled in managed care.
February 20, 2002 - Funding for Regional Centers for the developmentally disabled has more than doubled since 1995-96, yet they are still experiencing financial problems. We propose some initial steps the Legislature could take to achieve significant savings that could either be used to reduce state spending or to reinvest in the Regional Center system.
February 20, 2002 - We recommend against adopting administration proposals to reduce provider rates for certain services and charge copayments to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. We propose a different copayment approach. We recommend approval of a proposal to reduce the cost of Medi-Cal drug purchases and offer some additional approaches that could save the state money on purchases of drugs.
February 20, 2002 - California hospitals face significant financial pressures in the next several years, particularly from recent federal regulations limiting the amount the state can pay public hospitals participating in Medi-Cal. We recommend steps the Legislature could take even in difficult fiscal times to deal with problems faced by hospitals.
February 20, 2002 - Only 26 percent of single-parent cases in federal fiscal year 2000 were participating in CalWORKs in accordance with state law. We believe that increasing participation is an important long-term focus for the Legislature.
December 5, 2001 - A member requested comprehensive review of the Department of Managed Health Care’s (DMHC) $30 million budget and its daily operations. We offer a series of options for further reform of the managed care industry, including licensing and certification of medical groups and expanded state review of HMO contracts for medical services
March 27, 2001 - Compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) will require the health care industry to change processes and systems that will result in significant costs. We recommend that the Legislature approve the funding to support HIPAA compliance activities but recommend the enactment of state legislation providing an appropriate policy framework to govern HIPAA compliance activities.
February 24, 2001 - Index of Information Technology Issues in the Analysis of the Budget Bill, 2001-02
February 21, 2001 - Longer stays in foster care adversely impact children by reducing the time they spend in a permanent living situation. We recommend enactment of legislation to conduct a three-year pilot project whereby the treatment rates of foster family agency homes would incrementally decrease over time.
February 21, 2001 - We recommend that the Legislature direct the Department of Information Technology to report at budget hearings on the resources and time frames needed to conduct a study which (1) examines data centers' rates for nonmainframe activities, (2) identifies potential opportunities for specialization between the state's primary data centers, and (3) identifies data center functions that can be provided more efficiently by private industry.