Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the California Healthcare System.

Highlights:

-Establishes the California Healthcare Agency to administer the California Healthcare System, comprised of the following entities (Sec. 1):

-The Healthcare Policy Board; -The Office of Patient Advocacy; -The Office of Health Planning; -The Office of Health Care Quality; -The Healthcare Fund; -The Public Advisory Committee; -The Payments Board; and -Partnerships for Health.

-Establishes a Healthcare Commissioner appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate to head the California Healthcare Agency, whose duties include, but are not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):

-Establish the system's budget and set rates not to exceed 5 percent of the state budget; -Establish the system's goals, standards, and priorities, to hire, fire, and amend the compensation of agency personnel; -Make allocations and reallocations to the health planning regions; and -Put into effect generally binding regulations concerning any and all matters related to the implementation of this act.

-Establishes that all California residents are eligible for health care benefits under the California Healthcare System (Sec. 1). -Requires the California Healthcare System to, on a single-payer basis, negotiate for or set fees for health care services provided through the system and pay claims for those services (Sec. 1). -Requires that a resident of the state with a household income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level be eligible for the type of benefits provided under the Medi-Cal program (Sec. 1). -Requires the commissioner to seek all necessary waivers, exemptions, agreements, or legislation to allow various existing federal, state, and local health care payments to be paid to the California Healthcare System, which would then assume responsibility for all benefits and services previously paid for with those funds (Sec. 1). -Establishes the Office of Inspector General for the California Healthcare System within the Attorney General's office to have oversight over the system (Sec. 1). -Prohibits health care service plan contracts or health insurance policies from being issued for services covered by the California Healthcare System (Sec. 1). -Extends the application of insurance fraud laws to providers of services and products under the California Healthcare System (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text