Medi-Cal: Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT).

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. Existing law provides that Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) services for any individual under 21 years of age is covered under Medi-Cal consistent with the requirements of federal law. Under federal law, EPSDT services include screening services, vision services, dental services, hearing services, and other necessary services to correct or ameliorate defects and physical and mental illnesses and conditions discovered by the screening services, whether or not the services are covered under the state plan. Existing federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, requires that a free appropriate public education be made available to individuals with exceptional needs, and be tailored to their individual needs. This bill would require the State Department of Health Care Services and the Department of Education to convene a joint task force to examine the delivery of mental health services to children eligible for EPSDT services and for services pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and to consider specified subjects. The bill would require the task force to hold at least 2 public meetings by October 1, 2016, and to submit a report to the Legislature covering key findings and recommendations for further action, if any.