Joint Legislative Hearing Held on Medi-Cal Funding and Accountability Act

This week, the Senate and Assembly Health Committees held a joint hearing to hear testimony from the proponents and opponents on the Medi-Cal Funding and Accountability Act, a ballot measure which would override the scheduled expiration date of the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee (Fee) used by the State to draw down matching dollars from the federal government for California’s Medi-Cal program.  Currently, the Fee is scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2017.  The ballot measure, if passed, will make the fee permanent, and would also make it harder for the Legislature to change or end the Fee.  According to date from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, if voters approve the measure the state would continue to save approximately $1 billion General Fund annually.  

“This is a plan, a way, where we have been able to salvage, help and keep hospitals open.  I think it’s a sound one,” said Senator Jim Nielson (R-Gerber), who represents several hospitals in Northern California, one of which recently closed its doors.

In March, the RCRC Board of Directors adopted a support position on the ballot measure, which is slated for the November 8, 2016 General Election ballot.