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February 19, 2003 - The state's programs to provide services for some of its most medically fragile children is missing opportunities to control increasing costs and preserve General Fund resources that could help address the state's fiscal problems. Potential General Fund savings would be at least $43 million.
November 6, 2002 - The Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) is taking a number of steps to help control the sharply rising cost of the state health insurance program for employees and retirees. We recommend that the legislature provide ongoing oversight of this program and highlight two Legislative options for limiting costs: developing lower-cost HMO options and changing the way state contributions are determined.
August 8, 2002 - We discuss the reasons for the recent withdrawals of health coverage by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) from rural areas and recommend a number of steps that we believe will create a more attractive health care marketplace for HMOs. In those rural areas where these steps are not enough to attract HMOs, we identify ways communities can develop their own health care systems.
February 20, 2002 - The administration's proposal to "securitize" the state's future revenues from settlement of litigation with tobacco companies is a feasible and reasonable step for the Legislature to consider However, we recommend that the Legislature consider this transaction only if presented a more detailed analysis demonstrating that the net financial outcome would be beneficial to the state.
February 20, 2002 - We recommend the Legislature set aside funding for the AB 3632 program mandate--"Services to Handicapped Students"--pending development of a new program of county mental health services for special education pupils.
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.
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