Specialty care networks: telehealth and other virtual services.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Appropriations
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill creates a demonstration project and grant program to improve access to specialty care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries, particularly those served by safety-net providers like rural health clinics and community health centers. The project aims to develop a financially sustainable telehealth and virtual services network, potentially expanding access to behavioral and maternal health services. It requires the California Health and Human Services Agency to establish and oversee the program, including an independent evaluation of its effectiveness.
Key provisions
- Establishes a demonstration project and grant program to support telehealth and virtual specialty care networks.
- Focuses on serving patients of safety-net providers (rural health clinics, community health centers, etc.).
- Requires grantees to establish a network of clinical specialists and provide health information technology support.
- Includes objectives for reducing structural barriers to access, improving cost-effectiveness, and enhancing care coordination.
- Mandates an independent evaluation of the demonstration project's success.
- Defines ‘Qualifying Provider’ based on patient demographics and location.
- Requires grantees to report performance data to the agency.
- Specifies that grant funds cannot be used for direct patient care payments.
Who is affected
- Medi-Cal beneficiaries
- Rural health clinics
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours