A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future

Report #187, May 2007
A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future

Full Report

Executive Summary

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2007

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Commission Urges Transformation of Medi-Cal

The Little Hoover Commission on Thursday urged transformation of California’s Medi-Cal program to focus on prevention, coordinated care, cost effectiveness and health outcomes.

In its report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming Medi-Cal for the Future, the Commission said that the success of health care reform in California will depend on the state’s ability to transform the Medi-Cal program. The Commission recommended that the Governor and Legislature support the Department of Health Care Services in taking a smarter approach to providing health care for the state’s most vulnerable residents.

“As California’s single largest purchaser of health care, the Medi-Cal program is too big to be an afterthought in the debate on how to untie the knot of rising health care costs, the lack of affordability, and the growing burden of costshifting on business,” Commission Chairman Dan Hancock said.

The Medi-Cal program is an essential piece of the state’s health care system, yet cost growth will render the program unsustainable unless changes are made. The program is the second single largest investment the state makes, behind only education, and this year will consume $37.7 billion of state and federal dollars.

Despite its commitment to providing health coverage to 6.6 million lowincome, senior and disabled Californians, the state lacks the data and analysis capacity to know how effective its efforts are in preventing chronic illnesses, ensuring quality care, and promoting positive health outcomes.

“For far too long, the state has focused on what Medi-Cal is paying for health care, not on what it is buying.” Hancock said. “By knowing what it is buying, the state can focus its dollars on what works to improve the health of Medi-Cal’s enrollees. And it can stop spending money on treatment that doesn’t add value.”

The Commission made four recommendations for the transformation of the Medi-Cal program:

  • Make Medi-Cal a value-driven purchaser of health care. The Department of Health Care Services must develop a strategic plan emphasizing prevention, designate a leader and strategy team, and ensure that the program has the staff to employ value-based purchasing.
     
  • Improve access to care. The department should strengthen and expand managed care, support local innovation in community-level approaches with dollars and increased flexibility, and provide incentives for improved health outcomes. The department must support alternatives to emergency room usage, ensure enrollees have medical homes and encourage patients to be responsible for their health.
     
  • Leverage data and analytical capacity. The department must be equipped to measure health outcomes, plan for the future, prevent fraud and promote the most appropriate and cost-effective health care.
     
  • Ensure all Medi-Cal eligible Californians are enrolled. The department must work to enroll all eligible uninsured individuals in Medi-Cal, and reduce churning in and out of the program by individuals who remain eligible for coverage. Application, eligibility and renewal procedures must be simplified.


Now is an opportune time for transformation. In July, the state health department will give its public health responsibilities to a newly created Department of Public Health, allowing the Department of Health Care Services to focus on ensuring that the Medi-Cal program makes the most effective and efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

The Little Hoover Commission is a bipartisan and independent state agency charged with recommending ways to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state programs. The Commission’s recommendations are sent to the Governor and the Legislature. To obtain a copy of the report, A Smarter Way to Care: Transforming MediCal for the Future, contact the Commission or visit its Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov.

Fact Sheet

Study Description

For this study, the Commission reviewed State health care programs, namely Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. The goal of the study was to make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of State health care programs and clarify the need for additional strategies to expand access to medical care.

Agenda

Overview

In this report, the Commission urges transformation of California’s Medi-Cal program to focus on prevention, coordinated care, cost effectiveness and health outcomes.

During its review, the Commission found that rising health care costs, as well as an increase in the size of the populations Medi-Cal serves, threaten the sustainability of the program as it is currently structured. As the state’s largest purchaser of health care, the Commission found that Medi-Cal has the potential to reshape the state’s health care market for all Californians by tracking care, measuring performance and using incentives to improve health outcomes. But the program lacks data and analysis to show how well it is working. The Commission found that the program should focus on prevention, coordinated care that includes better chronic disease care and demonstrating value in terms of improve health outcomes. For too long, the Commission found, California has focused on what Medi-Cal is paying for health care, not on what it is buying.

The Commission recommends four ways to transform the Medi-Cal prgram: make Medi-Cal a value-driven purchaser of health care, improve access to care, leverage data and analytical capacity, and ensure all Medi-Cal eligible Californians are enrolled.

Print Agenda
  • October 17
    2006
    Health Care
    10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m, Los Angeles, CA
    Site Visit
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    October 5, 2006

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a site visit to health facilities in Los Angeles County on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.

    The site visit will consist of two tours, a lunch meeting and an advisory panel meeting with community leaders, county administrators, providers, clients of publicly-funded health care, experts and advocates. The tours are scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and noon at the LAC + USC Medical Center at 1200 N. State Street, Los Angeles and at the Clínica Msr. Oscar A. Romero Community Health Center at 2032 Marengo Street, Los Angeles. The tours will be followed by a lunch meeting at the LAC + USC Medical Center in the Administrative Conference Room 1112 from noon to 1 p.m. and an advisory panel meeting in Conference Room 1729 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Tuesday, October 10, 2006.

  • March 22
    2007
    Health Care
    3:00 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L
    Subcommittee Meeting
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    March 8, 2007

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meetings

    On Thursday, March 22, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s career technical education programs. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 4203 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    This is the first of two planned hearings as part of the Commission’s review of California’s career technical education (CTE) system. The Commission is reviewing CTE programs to identify reforms that will improve student and public outcomes. This hearing will provide a broad assessment of current CTE programs and funding in California. Witnesses will discuss opportunities for expanding CTE programs to reduce high school dropout rates and develop a well-prepared workforce. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

    Also, the Career Technical Education Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will meet on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, from 2 until 4 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street, Sacramento. The subcommittee will discuss career technical education in California with subject matter experts.

    The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will meet on Thursday, March 22, 2007, following the public hearing at approximately 3 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street, Sacramento. The subcommittee will discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on health care in California.

    The Commission also will meet for dinner on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. at California Fat’s Restaurant, 1015 Front Street, Old Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, March 15, 2007.

  • February 22
    2007
    Health Care
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 112, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Health Care 
    Thursday, February 22, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 112 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Panel - Components of Reform Proposals 

    1. Peter Harbage, Senior Program Associate, Health Policy Program, New America Foundation (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Gerald F. Kominski, Associate Director, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Glenn Melnick, Professor and Blue Cross of California Chair in Health Care Finance; School of Policy, Planning and Development; University of Southern California (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Health Access California (Written Testimony, Attachment)
       

    Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

    • Donna Fox, Regulatory Policy Specialist, California Nurses Association (Written Comments)
       
    •  Mitchell Katz, Director of Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health (Written Comments)
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 8, 2007

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, February 22, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 112 of the State Capitol in Sacramento. T

    he hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine the components of the various health care reform proposals that have been presented in recent months. These components include individual mandates, employer mandates, purchasing pools, high deductible health plans, expanded public programs and premium subsidies. The Commission also will discuss health care reforms that have recently been enacted or implemented in the public and private sectors. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 15, 2007. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

  • January 25
    2007
    Health Care
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Health Care 
    Thursday, January 25, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Panel - Federal and State Efforts for Health Care Transformation 

    1. Jeff Flick, Regional Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Kimberly Belshé, Secretary, California Health and Human Services Agency (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Lucinda "Cindy" Ehnes, Director, Department of Managed Health Care (PowerPoint Presentation)
       

    Presenter - Health Care Transformation at Kaiser 

    1. Andrew M. Wiesenthal, Associate Executive Director, The Permanente Federation (Written Testimony)
       

    Panel - Opportunities for Value and Improved Care 

    1. Sophia Chang, Director, Chronic Disease Care Programs, California HealthCare Foundation (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Andrew B. Bindman, Professor of Medicine, Health Policy, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco; and Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital (Written Testimony)

    Panel - Tools for Implementing Transformation 

    1. Lori L. Hack, Director of Government Relations and Policy, California Regional Health Information Organization (Written Testimony)
    • Attachment 1: Letter to the Governor from CalRHIO, October 9, 2006 
    • Attachment 2: Draft Proposed Roles to Advance California HIE 
    • Attachment 3: Transcript of an Interview with David Brailer, former National Health IT Coordinator
      ​​​​​​​
    1. Emma Hoo, Director, Value-Based Purchasing, Pacific Business Group on Health (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    January 11, 2007

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, January 25, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    The hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine opportunities to transform the Medi-Cal program to focus on improving health outcomes by using data to drive decision-making and being a more demanding purchaser of health care. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, January 18, 2007. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

  • September 28
    2006
    Health Care
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Health Care 
    Thursday, September 28, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks 

    Meeting California's Health Care Needs, A Call for Reform 

    1. Lucien Wulsin, Jr., Director, Insure the Uninsured Project (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Crystal Hayling, President and CEO, Blue Shield of California Foundation (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Leona M. Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan (Written Testimony)
    • Attachment 1: Expanding Coverage for Children: The Santa Clara County Children's Health Initiative
    • Attachment 2: Santa Clara Healthy Kids Program Reduces Gaps in Children's Access to Medical and Dental Care 

    • Attachment 3: Santa Clara County Children's Health Initiative Outreach and Enrollment Efforts Are Effecive and Helpful to Parent

    Role of the State, Status and Strategy 

    1. Stan Rosenstein, Deputy Director, Medical Care Services, Department of Health Services (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Lesley Cummings, Executive Director, Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (Written Testimony)
       

    Access to Insurance and Health Care 

    1. Phillip R. Crandall, Director, County of Humboldt Health & Human Services Department (Written Testimony, Attachment)
    2. David Kears, Director, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (Written Testimony, Attachment)
      ​​​​​​​
    3. Allen Miller, Chief Executive Officer, COPE Health Solutions (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    September 14, 2006

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, September 28, 2006, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    The hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine the State’s goals for health care, the policies and practices in place to achieve those goals and the associated challenges. A complete agenda is on the reverse. The Commission intends to complete its review in early 2007 and issue findings and recommendations for reform to policy-makers.

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

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, September 21, 2006. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

  • September 11
    2006
    Health Care
    10 a.m.
    Site Visit
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    September 7, 2006

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Revised Notice of Meeting

    The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a site visit to health facilities in Contra Costa County on Monday, September 11, 2006.

    The site visit will consist of two tours and an advisory panel meeting with community leaders, county administrators, providers, clients of publicly-funded health care, experts and advocates. The tours are scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Pittsburg Health Center at 2311 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg and at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center at 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez.

    The advisory panel meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the conference room in Suite 202 of the Public Health Lab at 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Tuesday, September 5, 2006.

October 17
2006
Health Care
10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m, Los Angeles, CA
Site Visit
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2006

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a site visit to health facilities in Los Angeles County on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.

The site visit will consist of two tours, a lunch meeting and an advisory panel meeting with community leaders, county administrators, providers, clients of publicly-funded health care, experts and advocates. The tours are scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and noon at the LAC + USC Medical Center at 1200 N. State Street, Los Angeles and at the Clínica Msr. Oscar A. Romero Community Health Center at 2032 Marengo Street, Los Angeles. The tours will be followed by a lunch meeting at the LAC + USC Medical Center in the Administrative Conference Room 1112 from noon to 1 p.m. and an advisory panel meeting in Conference Room 1729 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Tuesday, October 10, 2006.

March 22
2007
Health Care
3:00 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
Subcommittee Meeting
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2007

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meetings

On Thursday, March 22, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s career technical education programs. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 4203 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

This is the first of two planned hearings as part of the Commission’s review of California’s career technical education (CTE) system. The Commission is reviewing CTE programs to identify reforms that will improve student and public outcomes. This hearing will provide a broad assessment of current CTE programs and funding in California. Witnesses will discuss opportunities for expanding CTE programs to reduce high school dropout rates and develop a well-prepared workforce. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

Also, the Career Technical Education Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will meet on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, from 2 until 4 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street, Sacramento. The subcommittee will discuss career technical education in California with subject matter experts.

The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will meet on Thursday, March 22, 2007, following the public hearing at approximately 3 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street, Sacramento. The subcommittee will discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on health care in California.

The Commission also will meet for dinner on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. at California Fat’s Restaurant, 1015 Front Street, Old Sacramento.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, March 15, 2007.

February 22
2007
Health Care
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 112, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Health Care 
Thursday, February 22, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 112 
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Panel - Components of Reform Proposals 

  1. Peter Harbage, Senior Program Associate, Health Policy Program, New America Foundation (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Gerald F. Kominski, Associate Director, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Glenn Melnick, Professor and Blue Cross of California Chair in Health Care Finance; School of Policy, Planning and Development; University of Southern California (Written Testimony)
     
  4. Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Health Access California (Written Testimony, Attachment)
     

Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

  • Donna Fox, Regulatory Policy Specialist, California Nurses Association (Written Comments)
     
  •  Mitchell Katz, Director of Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health (Written Comments)
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2007

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, February 22, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 112 of the State Capitol in Sacramento. T

he hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine the components of the various health care reform proposals that have been presented in recent months. These components include individual mandates, employer mandates, purchasing pools, high deductible health plans, expanded public programs and premium subsidies. The Commission also will discuss health care reforms that have recently been enacted or implemented in the public and private sectors. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 15, 2007. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

January 25
2007
Health Care
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Health Care 
Thursday, January 25, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437 
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Panel - Federal and State Efforts for Health Care Transformation 

  1. Jeff Flick, Regional Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Kimberly Belshé, Secretary, California Health and Human Services Agency (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Lucinda "Cindy" Ehnes, Director, Department of Managed Health Care (PowerPoint Presentation)
     

Presenter - Health Care Transformation at Kaiser 

  1. Andrew M. Wiesenthal, Associate Executive Director, The Permanente Federation (Written Testimony)
     

Panel - Opportunities for Value and Improved Care 

  1. Sophia Chang, Director, Chronic Disease Care Programs, California HealthCare Foundation (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Andrew B. Bindman, Professor of Medicine, Health Policy, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco; and Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital (Written Testimony)

Panel - Tools for Implementing Transformation 

  1. Lori L. Hack, Director of Government Relations and Policy, California Regional Health Information Organization (Written Testimony)
  • Attachment 1: Letter to the Governor from CalRHIO, October 9, 2006 
  • Attachment 2: Draft Proposed Roles to Advance California HIE 
  • Attachment 3: Transcript of an Interview with David Brailer, former National Health IT Coordinator
    ​​​​​​​
  1. Emma Hoo, Director, Value-Based Purchasing, Pacific Business Group on Health (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2007

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, January 25, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

The hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine opportunities to transform the Medi-Cal program to focus on improving health outcomes by using data to drive decision-making and being a more demanding purchaser of health care. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, January 18, 2007. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

September 28
2006
Health Care
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Health Care 
Thursday, September 28, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437 
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks 

Meeting California's Health Care Needs, A Call for Reform 

  1. Lucien Wulsin, Jr., Director, Insure the Uninsured Project (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Crystal Hayling, President and CEO, Blue Shield of California Foundation (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Leona M. Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan (Written Testimony)
  • Attachment 1: Expanding Coverage for Children: The Santa Clara County Children's Health Initiative
  • Attachment 2: Santa Clara Healthy Kids Program Reduces Gaps in Children's Access to Medical and Dental Care 

  • Attachment 3: Santa Clara County Children's Health Initiative Outreach and Enrollment Efforts Are Effecive and Helpful to Parent

Role of the State, Status and Strategy 

  1. Stan Rosenstein, Deputy Director, Medical Care Services, Department of Health Services (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Lesley Cummings, Executive Director, Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (Written Testimony)
     

Access to Insurance and Health Care 

  1. Phillip R. Crandall, Director, County of Humboldt Health & Human Services Department (Written Testimony, Attachment)
  2. David Kears, Director, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (Written Testimony, Attachment)
    ​​​​​​​
  3. Allen Miller, Chief Executive Officer, COPE Health Solutions (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2006

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, September 28, 2006, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

The hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine the State’s goals for health care, the policies and practices in place to achieve those goals and the associated challenges. A complete agenda is on the reverse. The Commission intends to complete its review in early 2007 and issue findings and recommendations for reform to policy-makers.

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

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, September 21, 2006. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

September 11
2006
Health Care
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Pittsburg Health Center, 2311 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg, CA and Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA
Site Visit
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2006

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Revised Notice of Meeting

The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a site visit to health facilities in Contra Costa County on Monday, September 11, 2006.

The site visit will consist of two tours and an advisory panel meeting with community leaders, county administrators, providers, clients of publicly-funded health care, experts and advocates. The tours are scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Pittsburg Health Center at 2311 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg and at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center at 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez.

The advisory panel meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the conference room in Suite 202 of the Public Health Lab at 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Tuesday, September 5, 2006.

Print Agenda
  • October 17
    2006
    Health Care
    10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m, Los Angeles, CA
    Site Visit
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    October 5, 2006

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a site visit to health facilities in Los Angeles County on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.

    The site visit will consist of two tours, a lunch meeting and an advisory panel meeting with community leaders, county administrators, providers, clients of publicly-funded health care, experts and advocates. The tours are scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and noon at the LAC + USC Medical Center at 1200 N. State Street, Los Angeles and at the Clínica Msr. Oscar A. Romero Community Health Center at 2032 Marengo Street, Los Angeles. The tours will be followed by a lunch meeting at the LAC + USC Medical Center in the Administrative Conference Room 1112 from noon to 1 p.m. and an advisory panel meeting in Conference Room 1729 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Tuesday, October 10, 2006.

  • March 22
    2007
    Health Care
    3:00 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L
    Subcommittee Meeting
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    March 8, 2007

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meetings

    On Thursday, March 22, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s career technical education programs. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 4203 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    This is the first of two planned hearings as part of the Commission’s review of California’s career technical education (CTE) system. The Commission is reviewing CTE programs to identify reforms that will improve student and public outcomes. This hearing will provide a broad assessment of current CTE programs and funding in California. Witnesses will discuss opportunities for expanding CTE programs to reduce high school dropout rates and develop a well-prepared workforce. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

    Also, the Career Technical Education Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will meet on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, from 2 until 4 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street, Sacramento. The subcommittee will discuss career technical education in California with subject matter experts.

    The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will meet on Thursday, March 22, 2007, following the public hearing at approximately 3 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street, Sacramento. The subcommittee will discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on health care in California.

    The Commission also will meet for dinner on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. at California Fat’s Restaurant, 1015 Front Street, Old Sacramento.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, March 15, 2007.

  • February 22
    2007
    Health Care
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 112, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Health Care 
    Thursday, February 22, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 112 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Panel - Components of Reform Proposals 

    1. Peter Harbage, Senior Program Associate, Health Policy Program, New America Foundation (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Gerald F. Kominski, Associate Director, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Glenn Melnick, Professor and Blue Cross of California Chair in Health Care Finance; School of Policy, Planning and Development; University of Southern California (Written Testimony)
       
    4. Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Health Access California (Written Testimony, Attachment)
       

    Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

    • Donna Fox, Regulatory Policy Specialist, California Nurses Association (Written Comments)
       
    •  Mitchell Katz, Director of Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health (Written Comments)
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    February 8, 2007

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, February 22, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 112 of the State Capitol in Sacramento. T

    he hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine the components of the various health care reform proposals that have been presented in recent months. These components include individual mandates, employer mandates, purchasing pools, high deductible health plans, expanded public programs and premium subsidies. The Commission also will discuss health care reforms that have recently been enacted or implemented in the public and private sectors. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 15, 2007. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

  • January 25
    2007
    Health Care
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Health Care 
    Thursday, January 25, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks

    Panel - Federal and State Efforts for Health Care Transformation 

    1. Jeff Flick, Regional Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Kimberly Belshé, Secretary, California Health and Human Services Agency (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Lucinda "Cindy" Ehnes, Director, Department of Managed Health Care (PowerPoint Presentation)
       

    Presenter - Health Care Transformation at Kaiser 

    1. Andrew M. Wiesenthal, Associate Executive Director, The Permanente Federation (Written Testimony)
       

    Panel - Opportunities for Value and Improved Care 

    1. Sophia Chang, Director, Chronic Disease Care Programs, California HealthCare Foundation (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Andrew B. Bindman, Professor of Medicine, Health Policy, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco; and Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital (Written Testimony)

    Panel - Tools for Implementing Transformation 

    1. Lori L. Hack, Director of Government Relations and Policy, California Regional Health Information Organization (Written Testimony)
    • Attachment 1: Letter to the Governor from CalRHIO, October 9, 2006 
    • Attachment 2: Draft Proposed Roles to Advance California HIE 
    • Attachment 3: Transcript of an Interview with David Brailer, former National Health IT Coordinator
      ​​​​​​​
    1. Emma Hoo, Director, Value-Based Purchasing, Pacific Business Group on Health (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    January 11, 2007

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, January 25, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    The hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine opportunities to transform the Medi-Cal program to focus on improving health outcomes by using data to drive decision-making and being a more demanding purchaser of health care. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, January 18, 2007. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

  • September 28
    2006
    Health Care
    9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
    Public Hearing
    Agenda

    AGENDA

    Public Hearing on Health Care 
    Thursday, September 28, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.
    State Capitol, Room 437 
    Sacramento, CA


    Opening Remarks 

    Meeting California's Health Care Needs, A Call for Reform 

    1. Lucien Wulsin, Jr., Director, Insure the Uninsured Project (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Crystal Hayling, President and CEO, Blue Shield of California Foundation (Written Testimony)
       
    3. Leona M. Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan (Written Testimony)
    • Attachment 1: Expanding Coverage for Children: The Santa Clara County Children's Health Initiative
    • Attachment 2: Santa Clara Healthy Kids Program Reduces Gaps in Children's Access to Medical and Dental Care 

    • Attachment 3: Santa Clara County Children's Health Initiative Outreach and Enrollment Efforts Are Effecive and Helpful to Parent

    Role of the State, Status and Strategy 

    1. Stan Rosenstein, Deputy Director, Medical Care Services, Department of Health Services (Written Testimony)
       
    2. Lesley Cummings, Executive Director, Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (Written Testimony)
       

    Access to Insurance and Health Care 

    1. Phillip R. Crandall, Director, County of Humboldt Health & Human Services Department (Written Testimony, Attachment)
    2. David Kears, Director, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (Written Testimony, Attachment)
      ​​​​​​​
    3. Allen Miller, Chief Executive Officer, COPE Health Solutions (Written Testimony)
      ​​​​​​​

    Public Comments

    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    September 14, 2006

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Notice of Meeting

    On Thursday, September 28, 2006, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

    The hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine the State’s goals for health care, the policies and practices in place to achieve those goals and the associated challenges. A complete agenda is on the reverse. The Commission intends to complete its review in early 2007 and issue findings and recommendations for reform to policy-makers.

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

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, September 21, 2006. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

  • September 11
    2006
    Health Care
    10 a.m.
    Site Visit
    Public Notice

    PUBLIC NOTICE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    September 7, 2006

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Stuart Drown, Executive Director
    (916) 445-2125

    Revised Notice of Meeting

    The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a site visit to health facilities in Contra Costa County on Monday, September 11, 2006.

    The site visit will consist of two tours and an advisory panel meeting with community leaders, county administrators, providers, clients of publicly-funded health care, experts and advocates. The tours are scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Pittsburg Health Center at 2311 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg and at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center at 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez.

    The advisory panel meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the conference room in Suite 202 of the Public Health Lab at 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez.

    All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Tuesday, September 5, 2006.

October 17
2006
Health Care
10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m, Los Angeles, CA
Site Visit
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2006

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a site visit to health facilities in Los Angeles County on Tuesday, October 17, 2006.

The site visit will consist of two tours, a lunch meeting and an advisory panel meeting with community leaders, county administrators, providers, clients of publicly-funded health care, experts and advocates. The tours are scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and noon at the LAC + USC Medical Center at 1200 N. State Street, Los Angeles and at the Clínica Msr. Oscar A. Romero Community Health Center at 2032 Marengo Street, Los Angeles. The tours will be followed by a lunch meeting at the LAC + USC Medical Center in the Administrative Conference Room 1112 from noon to 1 p.m. and an advisory panel meeting in Conference Room 1729 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Tuesday, October 10, 2006.

March 22
2007
Health Care
3:00 p.m., Legislative Counsel Conference Room, Lower Level, 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA
Subcommittee Meeting
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2007

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meetings

On Thursday, March 22, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s career technical education programs. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 4203 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

This is the first of two planned hearings as part of the Commission’s review of California’s career technical education (CTE) system. The Commission is reviewing CTE programs to identify reforms that will improve student and public outcomes. This hearing will provide a broad assessment of current CTE programs and funding in California. Witnesses will discuss opportunities for expanding CTE programs to reduce high school dropout rates and develop a well-prepared workforce. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

Also, the Career Technical Education Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will meet on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, from 2 until 4 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street, Sacramento. The subcommittee will discuss career technical education in California with subject matter experts.

The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will meet on Thursday, March 22, 2007, following the public hearing at approximately 3 p.m. in the Legislative Counsel Conference Room located on the lower level of 925 L Street, Sacramento. The subcommittee will discuss what it has learned from the Commission’s public hearings and meetings on health care in California.

The Commission also will meet for dinner on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. at California Fat’s Restaurant, 1015 Front Street, Old Sacramento.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, March 15, 2007.

February 22
2007
Health Care
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 112, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Health Care 
Thursday, February 22, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 112 
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Panel - Components of Reform Proposals 

  1. Peter Harbage, Senior Program Associate, Health Policy Program, New America Foundation (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Gerald F. Kominski, Associate Director, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Glenn Melnick, Professor and Blue Cross of California Chair in Health Care Finance; School of Policy, Planning and Development; University of Southern California (Written Testimony)
     
  4. Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Health Access California (Written Testimony, Attachment)
     

Comments Submitted by Members of the Public

  • Donna Fox, Regulatory Policy Specialist, California Nurses Association (Written Comments)
     
  •  Mitchell Katz, Director of Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health (Written Comments)
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2007

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, February 22, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 112 of the State Capitol in Sacramento. T

he hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine the components of the various health care reform proposals that have been presented in recent months. These components include individual mandates, employer mandates, purchasing pools, high deductible health plans, expanded public programs and premium subsidies. The Commission also will discuss health care reforms that have recently been enacted or implemented in the public and private sectors. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, February 15, 2007. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

January 25
2007
Health Care
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Health Care 
Thursday, January 25, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437 
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks

Panel - Federal and State Efforts for Health Care Transformation 

  1. Jeff Flick, Regional Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Kimberly Belshé, Secretary, California Health and Human Services Agency (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Lucinda "Cindy" Ehnes, Director, Department of Managed Health Care (PowerPoint Presentation)
     

Presenter - Health Care Transformation at Kaiser 

  1. Andrew M. Wiesenthal, Associate Executive Director, The Permanente Federation (Written Testimony)
     

Panel - Opportunities for Value and Improved Care 

  1. Sophia Chang, Director, Chronic Disease Care Programs, California HealthCare Foundation (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Andrew B. Bindman, Professor of Medicine, Health Policy, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco; and Chief, Division of General Internal Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital (Written Testimony)

Panel - Tools for Implementing Transformation 

  1. Lori L. Hack, Director of Government Relations and Policy, California Regional Health Information Organization (Written Testimony)
  • Attachment 1: Letter to the Governor from CalRHIO, October 9, 2006 
  • Attachment 2: Draft Proposed Roles to Advance California HIE 
  • Attachment 3: Transcript of an Interview with David Brailer, former National Health IT Coordinator
    ​​​​​​​
  1. Emma Hoo, Director, Value-Based Purchasing, Pacific Business Group on Health (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2007

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, January 25, 2007, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

The hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine opportunities to transform the Medi-Cal program to focus on improving health outcomes by using data to drive decision-making and being a more demanding purchaser of health care. A complete agenda is on the reverse.

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

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, January 18, 2007. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

September 28
2006
Health Care
9:00 a.m., State Capitol, Room 437, Sacramento, CA
Public Hearing
Agenda

AGENDA

Public Hearing on Health Care 
Thursday, September 28, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 437 
Sacramento, CA


Opening Remarks 

Meeting California's Health Care Needs, A Call for Reform 

  1. Lucien Wulsin, Jr., Director, Insure the Uninsured Project (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Crystal Hayling, President and CEO, Blue Shield of California Foundation (Written Testimony)
     
  3. Leona M. Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan (Written Testimony)
  • Attachment 1: Expanding Coverage for Children: The Santa Clara County Children's Health Initiative
  • Attachment 2: Santa Clara Healthy Kids Program Reduces Gaps in Children's Access to Medical and Dental Care 

  • Attachment 3: Santa Clara County Children's Health Initiative Outreach and Enrollment Efforts Are Effecive and Helpful to Parent

Role of the State, Status and Strategy 

  1. Stan Rosenstein, Deputy Director, Medical Care Services, Department of Health Services (Written Testimony)
     
  2. Lesley Cummings, Executive Director, Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (Written Testimony)
     

Access to Insurance and Health Care 

  1. Phillip R. Crandall, Director, County of Humboldt Health & Human Services Department (Written Testimony, Attachment)
  2. David Kears, Director, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (Written Testimony, Attachment)
    ​​​​​​​
  3. Allen Miller, Chief Executive Officer, COPE Health Solutions (Written Testimony)
    ​​​​​​​

Public Comments

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2006

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Notice of Meeting

On Thursday, September 28, 2006, the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a public hearing on California’s strategies to address the health and health care needs of its residents. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 437 of the State Capitol in Sacramento.

The hearing is part of the Commission’s review of California’s publiclyfunded health care system. At this hearing, the Commission will examine the State’s goals for health care, the policies and practices in place to achieve those goals and the associated challenges. A complete agenda is on the reverse. The Commission intends to complete its review in early 2007 and issue findings and recommendations for reform to policy-makers.

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

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site, www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Thursday, September 21, 2006. Commission hearings can be viewed via Webcast within a week after the hearing date on the California Channel Web site, www.calchannel.com.

September 11
2006
Health Care
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Pittsburg Health Center, 2311 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg, CA and Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA
Site Visit
Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2006

For Additional Information Contact:
Stuart Drown, Executive Director
(916) 445-2125

Revised Notice of Meeting

The Health Care Subcommittee of the Little Hoover Commission will conduct a site visit to health facilities in Contra Costa County on Monday, September 11, 2006.

The site visit will consist of two tours and an advisory panel meeting with community leaders, county administrators, providers, clients of publicly-funded health care, experts and advocates. The tours are scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Pittsburg Health Center at 2311 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg and at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center at 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez.

The advisory panel meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the conference room in Suite 202 of the Public Health Lab at 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez.

All public notices for meetings are on the Commission’s Web site: www.lhc.ca.gov. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Stuart Drown at (916) 445-2125 or littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov by Tuesday, September 5, 2006.