To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.
January 22, 2010 - The Governor’s various proposed actions to obtain savings in the current and budget years through actions in the special session have significant implications for the state’s health services programs. In this report, we (1) discuss some of the key overriding issues relating to the Governor’s plan, (2) summarize the Governor’s health budget proposals, and (3) provide our initial comments on a number of the major proposals in each specific program area. We note that we are still receiving information about these proposals from the administration that may prompt us to modify our recommendations. (Revised: 1/24/2010)
November 18, 2009 - Presented to Senate Health Committee
May 27, 2009 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee
April 27, 2009 - Assembly Member De La Torre requested our assistance in determining the savings that could be achieved by expanding the Family Cost Participation Program (FCPP) to all services purchased by Regional Centers (RC) for consumers. We estimate that this expansion (excluding RC operations and 24-hour care) when fully implemented after about three years could yield ongoing, net annual General Fund savings ranging between about $11 million and $19 million depending on the number of participating consumers.
March 17, 2009 - Presented to Assembly Health Committee
March 3, 2009 - Presented to Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee
February 6, 2009 - The Governor's budget for 2008‑09 proposes to hold General Fund spending on health programs virtually flat compared to the current-year spending level. However, based on our review of the available draft legislation, it appears that the federal stimulus package will provide substantial fiscal relief to California in the form of enhanced contributions to the state’s Medi-Cal Program. At the time this analysis was prepared, Congress also appeared to be close to agreement on federal legislation that would reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). We recommend that the state forego at this time an option available under the new federal legislation to expand children’s coverage up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level because of the state’s current fiscal condition. We also propose seeking voter approval for modifications to Proposition 99, a 1988 initiative approved by voters, to “unlock” spending now earmarked for certain Proposition 99 programs, a step that could allow the Legislature to achieve substantial General Fund savings in the budget year.
December 1, 2008 - The role of the Legislative Analyst's Office is to review state programs and make recommendations to the Legislature as to how the state can operate more effectively and efficiently. This report summarizes various changes to law that we have recommended in recent years. Recommendations in this report include, among many others: (a) Simplify and Consolidate K-12 General Purpose Funding, (b) Promote the Adoption of Health Information Technology in California, (c) Fund Inmate Education Programs Based on Actual Attendance, and (d) Increase and Index the State Gas Tax.
September 16, 2008 - Presented to Assembly and Senate Health Committees
June 16, 2008 - We analyzed SB 840 (Kuehl), which would establish in California a single-payer health care system and its companion financing mechanism.
June 13, 2008 - Item 5225-002-0001 and 4440-011-0001 of the 2008 Budget Conference Committee (pages 285, 325).
June 12, 2008 - LAO Alternative: for Items 4260 and 4265 of the 2008 Budget Conference Committee (various issues and pages).
June 12, 2008 - Informational: Medi-Cal Provider Payment Reductions for the 2008 Budget Conference Committee, various pages (219-224)
June 11, 2008 - LAO Compromise for Item 4260 of the 2008 Budget Conference Committee (page 232).