Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on Medi-Cal Update

Report #222, August 2014
Letter to Governor Brown and the Legislature on Medi-Cal Update

Full Report

Executive Summary

Press Release

Fact Sheet

Study Description

For this study, the Commission revisited its prior work on Medi-Cal in light of the changes that have taken place since it released its 2007 report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future. In the report, the Commission recommended that the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) transform Medi-Cal into a value-driven purchaser of health care, ensure Medi-Cal beneficiaries have access to preventative and coordinated care, strengthen and expand managed care, increase its data and analytical capacity and work with other agencies and organizations to ensure qualified Californians are enrolled in the programs for which they are eligible.

In this review, the Commission explored the implementation status of those recommendations and DHCS’ strategy to ensure Californians receive affordable high quality health care. As a result of the Affordable Care Act, it is projected that 11.5 million Californians will be enrolled in Medi-Cal by next year. The Commission was interested in learning how Californians will use health care as more have access to it and how DHCS plans to work with providers to ensure needs are met. 

The Commission also examined opportunities to expand the state’s network of community health clinics and to provide incentives to local communities to try new approaches to primary care and develop capacity to deliver chronic care. In particular, the Commission wanted to know how these services are being provided to disadvantaged communities. 

The Commission explored improvements in data-gathering since the release of its 2007 report, how performance outcomes have been adjusted in response to new data and opportunities to use these tools to ensure that the necessary heath care services are provided to communities in need.


Previous Studies

Agenda

Overview

In this report, the Commission commends the Department of Health Care Services after hearing testimony describing changes to implement the Commission’s 2007 recommendations that sought to transform Medi-Cal, the state’s public health care delivery system. This report updates recommendations the Commission made in its May 2007 report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future.

The Commission recommends the state consider opportunities to encourage, support and expand its data and technology infrastructure when examining broader population- and place-based health policy issues.

Print Agenda
  • June 26
    2014
    Medi-Cal Update
    9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 2040, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Medi-Cal Update
    Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 9:30 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 2040
    Sacramento, CA 


    Opening Remarks

    An Update on Progress from California's Department of Health Care Services

    1. Toby Douglas, Director, California Department of Health Care Services (Written Testimony, Attachment)
       
    2. Dr. Neal Kohatsu, Medical Director, California Department of Health Care Services
       
    3. Dr. Linette Scott, Chief Medical Information Officer and Deputy Director, California Department of Health Care Services 
       

    Using Data and Technology to Inform Health Policy Decisions

    1. Dr. Estella Geraghty, Deputy Director of the Center for Health Statistics and Informatics, California Department of Public Health (Written Testimony)
       
    2. George Alexeeff, Director, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Scott Gregory, State Geographic Information Officer and Deputy Director, California Department of Technology (Written Testimony)
       

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 25, 2014

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting 
    (Updated with New Hearing Location)

    On Thursday, June 26, 2014, the Little Hoover Commission will revisit recommendations made in its 2007 report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2040 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    In the report, the Commission recommended that the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) transform Medi-Cal into a value-driven purchaser of health care, ensure Medi-Cal beneficiaries have access to preventative and coordinated care, strengthen and expand managed care, increase its data and analytical capacity and work with other agencies and organizations to enroll qualified Californians in the programs for which they are eligible. At this hearing, the Commission will learn about the progress DHCS has made in implementing the Commission’s 2007 recommendations and the tremendous changes that have recast the state’s health care landscape. The Commission also will consider opportunities for the state to use existing data resources and new data tools to inform health policy and program decisions. The commission will hear from the director of DHCS on the current status of the Medi-Cal program, as well as the department’s strategy for the future to make sure that Californians receive high quality affordable health care. The department’s medical director and chief medical information officer also will discuss their respective roles and describe their current initiatives. Additionally, the Commission will hear from representatives of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and the California Department of Public Health about current initiatives to use data and technology to ensure that the necessary health care services are provided to communities in need. Finally, the State Geographic Information Officer will talk about the California Department of Technology’s efforts to build the state’s geospatial information systems (GIS) infrastructure as a way to explore health policy issues and make geographic information more accessible to decision makers and the public.

    There will be an opportunity for public comments at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will convene its business meeting in Room 175 on the first floor of 925 L Street in Sacramento. A teleconference location accessible to the public during the business meeting is available at 333 S Hope Street, 29th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

    All public notices for the meeting are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D'Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 19, 2014.

June 26
2014
Medi-Cal Update
9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 2040, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Medi-Cal Update
Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 9:30 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 2040
Sacramento, CA 


Opening Remarks

An Update on Progress from California's Department of Health Care Services

  1. Toby Douglas, Director, California Department of Health Care Services (Written Testimony, Attachment)
     
  2. Dr. Neal Kohatsu, Medical Director, California Department of Health Care Services
     
  3. Dr. Linette Scott, Chief Medical Information Officer and Deputy Director, California Department of Health Care Services 
     

Using Data and Technology to Inform Health Policy Decisions

  1. Dr. Estella Geraghty, Deputy Director of the Center for Health Statistics and Informatics, California Department of Public Health (Written Testimony)
     
  2. George Alexeeff, Director, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Scott Gregory, State Geographic Information Officer and Deputy Director, California Department of Technology (Written Testimony)
     

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2014

For Additional Information Contact:
Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting 
(Updated with New Hearing Location)

On Thursday, June 26, 2014, the Little Hoover Commission will revisit recommendations made in its 2007 report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2040 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In the report, the Commission recommended that the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) transform Medi-Cal into a value-driven purchaser of health care, ensure Medi-Cal beneficiaries have access to preventative and coordinated care, strengthen and expand managed care, increase its data and analytical capacity and work with other agencies and organizations to enroll qualified Californians in the programs for which they are eligible. At this hearing, the Commission will learn about the progress DHCS has made in implementing the Commission’s 2007 recommendations and the tremendous changes that have recast the state’s health care landscape. The Commission also will consider opportunities for the state to use existing data resources and new data tools to inform health policy and program decisions. The commission will hear from the director of DHCS on the current status of the Medi-Cal program, as well as the department’s strategy for the future to make sure that Californians receive high quality affordable health care. The department’s medical director and chief medical information officer also will discuss their respective roles and describe their current initiatives. Additionally, the Commission will hear from representatives of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and the California Department of Public Health about current initiatives to use data and technology to ensure that the necessary health care services are provided to communities in need. Finally, the State Geographic Information Officer will talk about the California Department of Technology’s efforts to build the state’s geospatial information systems (GIS) infrastructure as a way to explore health policy issues and make geographic information more accessible to decision makers and the public.

There will be an opportunity for public comments at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will convene its business meeting in Room 175 on the first floor of 925 L Street in Sacramento. A teleconference location accessible to the public during the business meeting is available at 333 S Hope Street, 29th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

All public notices for the meeting are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D'Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 19, 2014.

Print Agenda
  • June 26
    2014
    Medi-Cal Update
    9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 2040, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Medi-Cal Update
    Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 9:30 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 2040
    Sacramento, CA 


    Opening Remarks

    An Update on Progress from California's Department of Health Care Services

    1. Toby Douglas, Director, California Department of Health Care Services (Written Testimony, Attachment)
       
    2. Dr. Neal Kohatsu, Medical Director, California Department of Health Care Services
       
    3. Dr. Linette Scott, Chief Medical Information Officer and Deputy Director, California Department of Health Care Services 
       

    Using Data and Technology to Inform Health Policy Decisions

    1. Dr. Estella Geraghty, Deputy Director of the Center for Health Statistics and Informatics, California Department of Public Health (Written Testimony)
       
    2. George Alexeeff, Director, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Scott Gregory, State Geographic Information Officer and Deputy Director, California Department of Technology (Written Testimony)
       

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 25, 2014

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting 
    (Updated with New Hearing Location)

    On Thursday, June 26, 2014, the Little Hoover Commission will revisit recommendations made in its 2007 report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2040 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    In the report, the Commission recommended that the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) transform Medi-Cal into a value-driven purchaser of health care, ensure Medi-Cal beneficiaries have access to preventative and coordinated care, strengthen and expand managed care, increase its data and analytical capacity and work with other agencies and organizations to enroll qualified Californians in the programs for which they are eligible. At this hearing, the Commission will learn about the progress DHCS has made in implementing the Commission’s 2007 recommendations and the tremendous changes that have recast the state’s health care landscape. The Commission also will consider opportunities for the state to use existing data resources and new data tools to inform health policy and program decisions. The commission will hear from the director of DHCS on the current status of the Medi-Cal program, as well as the department’s strategy for the future to make sure that Californians receive high quality affordable health care. The department’s medical director and chief medical information officer also will discuss their respective roles and describe their current initiatives. Additionally, the Commission will hear from representatives of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and the California Department of Public Health about current initiatives to use data and technology to ensure that the necessary health care services are provided to communities in need. Finally, the State Geographic Information Officer will talk about the California Department of Technology’s efforts to build the state’s geospatial information systems (GIS) infrastructure as a way to explore health policy issues and make geographic information more accessible to decision makers and the public.

    There will be an opportunity for public comments at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

    Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will convene its business meeting in Room 175 on the first floor of 925 L Street in Sacramento. A teleconference location accessible to the public during the business meeting is available at 333 S Hope Street, 29th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

    All public notices for the meeting are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D'Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 19, 2014.

June 26
2014
Medi-Cal Update
9:30 a.m., State Capitol, Room 2040, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Medi-Cal Update
Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 9:30 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 2040
Sacramento, CA 


Opening Remarks

An Update on Progress from California's Department of Health Care Services

  1. Toby Douglas, Director, California Department of Health Care Services (Written Testimony, Attachment)
     
  2. Dr. Neal Kohatsu, Medical Director, California Department of Health Care Services
     
  3. Dr. Linette Scott, Chief Medical Information Officer and Deputy Director, California Department of Health Care Services 
     

Using Data and Technology to Inform Health Policy Decisions

  1. Dr. Estella Geraghty, Deputy Director of the Center for Health Statistics and Informatics, California Department of Public Health (Written Testimony)
     
  2. George Alexeeff, Director, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Scott Gregory, State Geographic Information Officer and Deputy Director, California Department of Technology (Written Testimony)
     

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2014

For Additional Information Contact:
Carole D’Elia, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting 
(Updated with New Hearing Location)

On Thursday, June 26, 2014, the Little Hoover Commission will revisit recommendations made in its 2007 report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2040 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In the report, the Commission recommended that the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) transform Medi-Cal into a value-driven purchaser of health care, ensure Medi-Cal beneficiaries have access to preventative and coordinated care, strengthen and expand managed care, increase its data and analytical capacity and work with other agencies and organizations to enroll qualified Californians in the programs for which they are eligible. At this hearing, the Commission will learn about the progress DHCS has made in implementing the Commission’s 2007 recommendations and the tremendous changes that have recast the state’s health care landscape. The Commission also will consider opportunities for the state to use existing data resources and new data tools to inform health policy and program decisions. The commission will hear from the director of DHCS on the current status of the Medi-Cal program, as well as the department’s strategy for the future to make sure that Californians receive high quality affordable health care. The department’s medical director and chief medical information officer also will discuss their respective roles and describe their current initiatives. Additionally, the Commission will hear from representatives of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and the California Department of Public Health about current initiatives to use data and technology to ensure that the necessary health care services are provided to communities in need. Finally, the State Geographic Information Officer will talk about the California Department of Technology’s efforts to build the state’s geospatial information systems (GIS) infrastructure as a way to explore health policy issues and make geographic information more accessible to decision makers and the public.

There will be an opportunity for public comments at the end of the hearing. The Commission also encourages written comments.

Immediately following the hearing, the Commission will convene its business meeting in Room 175 on the first floor of 925 L Street in Sacramento. A teleconference location accessible to the public during the business meeting is available at 333 S Hope Street, 29th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

All public notices for the meeting are on the Commission’s website, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to disability, please contact Commission Executive Director Carole D'Elia at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, June 19, 2014.