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 federally qualified health center (FQHC) services and rural health clinic (RHC) services, as defined, are covered benefits under the Medi-Cal program, to be reimbursed, to the extent that federal financial participation is obtained, to providers on a per-visit basis. "Visit" is defined as a face-to-face encounter between a patient of an FQHC or RHC and specified health care professionals, including a physician and marriage and family therapist. Under existing law, "physician," for these purposes, includes, but is not limited to, a physician and surgeon, an osteopath, and a podiatrist. This bill would authorize reimbursement for a maximum of 2 visits taking place on the same day at a single location if after the first visit the patient suffers illness or injury requiring additional diagnosis or treatment, or if the patient has a medical visit and a mental health visit or a dental visit, as defined. The bill would authorize an FQHC or RHC that currently includes the cost of a medical visit and a mental health visit that take place on the same day at a single location as a single visit for purposes of establishing the FQHC's or RHC's rate to apply for an adjustment to its per-visit rate, and after the department has approved that rate adjustment, to bill a medical visit and a mental health visit that take place on the same day at a single location as separate visits, in accordance with the bill. This bill would also include a licensed acupuncturist within those health care professionals covered under the definition of "visit." The bill would require the department, by July 1, 2020, to submit a state plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reflect certain changes described in the bill, and to seek necessary federal approvals. The bill would also make conforming and technical changes.
Sponsored bills
This measure would state the Legislature's commitment to removing barriers and ensuring that good jobs and career pathway programs are accessible to all while promoting equity and inclusion in hiring practices. The measure would call upon the state's workforce system to improve access to workforce development for all Californians, ensure representation of impacted communities in the decisionmaking processes for developing workforce strategies, create more effective training programs for Limited English Proficient individuals, remove barriers for individuals reentering the workforce, create goals and metrics that are directly tied to improving equity and access to workforce development and quality jobs for all Californians, and build equity and accountability into our state-funded workforce development programs so that all Californians can participate meaningfully in, contribute to, and thrive in our current and future economy.
This measure would recognize August 15, 2019, as India's Independence Day, and urge all Californians to join in celebrating India's independence.
This measure would call for continued support and recognition of the many benefits provided by Special Olympics.
This measure would declare August 2019 as Valley Fever Awareness Month.
Existing law requires a vote by mail ballot to be available to any registered voter. Existing law requires employers, as specified, to allow voters to take up to two hours off of work, without loss of pay, to vote. This bill would prohibit an employer from requiring or requesting that an employee bring the employee's vote by mail ballot to work or vote the employee's vote by mail ballot at work. The bill makes a violation of this prohibition subject to a civil fine of up to $10,000 per election.
This measure would endorse activities in public schools that instruct pupils in upholding and sustaining American democracy, encourage, in the strongest terms, California schools to pursue certain recognized designations that reflect specified ethos and values, and encourage publicly elected officials to conduct themselves in ways that strengthen civic engagement and participation in civil society.
This measure would encourage the United States Congress to adopt climate policies, including those that might be adopted under the Green New Deal, that build upon California's programs that have reduced greenhouse gas emissions while improving air and water quality, create new green jobs, and improve disadvantaged communities and that just climate actions offer the nation an opportunity to achieve community-mindful policies that California has successfully adopted while growing its economy.
The California Constitution allows a United States citizen who is at least 18 years of age and a resident of California to vote. This measure would reduce the minimum voting age to 17.