Medi-Cal: county organized health systems.

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 authorizes the department to negotiate exclusive contracts with any county that seeks to provide, or arrange for the provision of, the Medi-Cal services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries, as specified. Existing law authorizes a county that has contracted for the provision of services to arrange for any or all of the services to be provided by subcontracting with primary care providers, health maintenance organizations, insurance carriers, or other entities or individuals. This bill would prohibit a county organized health system that has contracted with the department as described above from utilizing funds intended for administrative and operational expenses for staff retreats, promotional giveaways, excessive executive compensation, or promotion of federal or state legislative or regulatory modifications. The bill would prohibit a media campaign or paid advertising purchased by the county organized health system from featuring the image or voice of an elected public official or candidate for elected office, or directly represent the views of an official or candidate. The bill would permit the media campaign or paid advertising to reference an official or candidate if the name appears in a roster listing containing the names of all officers of the purchasing agency, as specified. The bill would make related legislative findings and declarations.