reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
CA Health & Safety Code § 127372 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2 - Health Policy Research and Evaluation|ARTICLE 3 - The Medical Equity Disclosure Act|Section 127372.

127372.  (a) A hospital shall prepare an annual equity report. The equity report shall include an analysis of health status and access to care disparities for patients on the basis of age, sex, race, ethnicity, language, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and payor.(b) On and after September 30, 2025, but not until 12 months after the release of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ health equity quality measures for their proposed rules for other Medicare prospective payment systems, the annual equity report submitted by a hospital shall report on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Quality Indicators or any other relevant measures specified by the advisory committee, including measures of access, quality, and outcomes by age, sex, race, ethnicity, language, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and payor for the hospital’s patient populations, pursuant to the recommendations provided by the advisory committee. The equity report shall also include a plan to prioritize and address disparities for vulnerable populations identified in the data, with measurable objectives and specific timeframes, pursuant to the recommendations provided by the advisory committee and consistent with subdivision (d).(c) A hospital system with more than one hospital shall present the information in the equity report disaggregated at the individual hospital level and aggregated across all hospitals in the system.(d) A hospital’s equity report shall include a health equity plan to achieve disparity reduction for disparities identified in the data, as specified by the advisory committee, with measurable objectives and specific timeframes for disparity reduction. This shall include addressing both of the following:(1) The 10 widest disparities in health care quality for vulnerable populations, access, or outcomes, as determined by the advisory committee.(2) Performance across all of the following priority areas:(A) Person-centered care.(B) Patient safety.(C) Addressing patient social determinants of health.(D) Effective treatment.(E) Care coordination.(F) Access to care.(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 751, Sec. 2. (AB 1204) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127373 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2 - Health Policy Research and Evaluation|ARTICLE 3 - The Medical Equity Disclosure Act|Section 127373.

127373.  (a) A hospital shall do all of the following with respect to an equity report prepared pursuant to Section 127372:(1) Include in the equity report an explanation of the methodology used, written in plain English.(2) Annually submit the equity report to the Department of Health Care Access and Information. A hospital shall file a copy of the report with the department for the relevant calendar years according to the reporting schedule established by the department.(3) Annually post the equity report on the hospital’s internet website. The report shall be available via a link that includes the words “Equity Report” or a substantially similar term, which shall be visible on the main page of the hospital’s internet website as loaded by a standard internet browser in an easily readable font size without having to scroll down.(b) A hospital under the common control of a single corporation or another entity may file a consolidated equity report if the report includes each hospital’s equity data.(c) Hospitals that are part of an integrated system may prepare and submit a single joint equity report if the report separately addresses each hospital’s equity analysis.(d) Data and information included in annual equity reports shall be reported to the extent information is available and disclosed in a manner that protects the personal information of patients pursuant to state and federal privacy laws, including the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 56) of Division 1 of the Civil Code) and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191).(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 751, Sec. 2. (AB 1204) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127374 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2 - Health Policy Research and Evaluation|ARTICLE 3 - The Medical Equity Disclosure Act|Section 127374.

127374.  (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information may impose a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) against a hospital that fails to adopt, update, or submit an equity report consistent with this article and any implementing regulations adopted by the department.(b) The department may grant a hospital an automatic 60-day extension to submit an equity report.(c) The department shall annually prepare, and post on its internet website, a report that includes a list of all hospitals that failed to submit equity reports.(d) The department shall make all equity reports submitted pursuant to this article available to the public on its internet website.(e) Data and information posted on hospital internet websites and submitted to and made public by the department shall be disclosed in a manner that protects the personal information of patients pursuant to deidentification requirements as specified by the department, as well as any state and federal privacy laws, including the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 56) of Division 1 of the Civil Code) and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191).(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 751, Sec. 2. (AB 1204) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127375 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2 - Health Policy Research and Evaluation|ARTICLE 3 - The Medical Equity Disclosure Act|Section 127375.

127375.  The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall adopt any rules, regulations, or informal guidance necessary to further the objectives of this article.(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 751, Sec. 2. (AB 1204) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127401 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127401.

127401.  Each general acute care hospital licensed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1250 shall comply with the provisions of this article. The State Department of Public Health shall be responsible for the enforcement of these provisions for violations occurring prior to January 1, 2024. The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall be responsible for the enforcement of these provisions for violations occurring on or after January 1, 2024.(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 473, Sec. 6. (AB 1020) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127410 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127410.

127410.  (a) Each hospital shall provide patients with a written notice that shall contain information about availability of the hospital’s discount payment and charity care policies, including information about eligibility, as well as contact information for a hospital employee or office from which the person may obtain further information about these policies. The notice shall also include the internet address for the Health Consumer Alliance (https://healthconsumer.org), and shall explain that there are organizations that will help the patient understand the billing and payment process, as well as information regarding Covered California and Medi-Cal presumptive eligibility, if the hospital participates in the presumptive eligibility program. The notice shall also include the internet address for the hospital’s list of shoppable services, pursuant to Section 180.60 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This written notice shall be provided in addition to the estimate provided pursuant to Section 1339.585. The notice shall also be provided to patients who receive emergency or outpatient care and who may be billed for that care, but who were not admitted. The notice shall be provided in English, and in languages other than English. The languages to be provided shall be determined in a manner similar to that required pursuant to Section 12693.30 of the Insurance Code. Written correspondence to the patient required by this article shall also be in the language spoken by the patient, consistent with Section 12693.30 of the Insurance Code and applicable state and federal law.(b) The written notice shall be provided at the time of service if the patient is conscious and able to receive written notice at that time. If the patient is not able to receive notice at the time of service, the notice shall be provided during the discharge process. If the patient is not admitted, the written notice shall be provided when the patient leaves the facility. If the patient leaves the facility without receiving the written notice, the hospital shall mail the notice to the patient within 72 hours of providing services.(c) Notice of the hospital’s policy for financially qualified and self-pay patients shall be clearly and conspicuously posted in locations that are visible to the public, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(1) Emergency department, if any.(2) Billing office.(3) Admissions office.(4) Other outpatient settings, including observation units.(5) Prominently displayed on the hospital’s internet website, with a link to the policy itself.(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 473, Sec. 8.5. (AB 1020) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127426 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127426.

127426.  (a) The period described in Section 127425 shall be extended if the patient has a pending appeal for coverage of the services, until a final determination of that appeal is made, if the patient makes a reasonable effort to communicate with the hospital about the progress of any pending appeals.(b) For purposes of this section, “pending appeal” includes any of the following:(1) A grievance against a contracting health care service plan, as described in Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2, or against an insurer, as described in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 10110) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Insurance Code.(2) An independent medical review, as described in Section 10145.3 or 10169 of the Insurance Code.(3) A fair hearing for a review of a Medi-Cal claim pursuant to Section 10950 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.(4) An appeal regarding Medicare coverage consistent with federal law and regulations.(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 755, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127430 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127430.

127430.  (a) Prior to commencing collection activities against a patient, the hospital, any assignee of the hospital, or other owner of the patient debt, including a collection agency, shall provide the patient with a clear and conspicuous written notice containing both of the following:(1) A plain language summary of the patient’s rights pursuant to this article, the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Title 1.6C (commencing with Section 1788) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code), and the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Subchapter V (commencing with Section 1692) of Chapter 41 of Title 15 of the United States Code). The summary shall include a statement that the Federal Trade Commission enforces the federal act.The summary shall be sufficient if it appears in substantially the following form: “State and federal law require debt collectors to treat you fairly and prohibit debt collectors from making false statements or threats of violence, using obscene or profane language, and making improper communications with third parties, including your employer. Except under unusual circumstances, debt collectors may not contact you before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. In general, a debt collector may not give information about your debt to another person, other than your attorney or spouse. A debt collector may contact another person to confirm your location or to enforce a judgment. For more information about debt collection activities, you may contact the Federal Trade Commission by telephone at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or online at www.ftc.gov.”(2) A statement that nonprofit credit counseling services may be available in the area.(b) The notice required by subdivision (a) shall also accompany any document indicating that the commencement of collection activities may occur.(c) The requirements of this section shall apply to the entity engaged in the collection activities. If a hospital assigns or sells the debt to another entity, the obligations shall apply to the entity, including a collection agency, engaged in the debt collection activity.(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 347, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2008.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127435 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127435.

127435.  (a) A hospital shall provide to the department a copy of its discount payment policy, charity care policy, eligibility procedures for those policies, review process, and the application for charity care or discounted payment programs, as well as a copy of its debt collection policy. The department may determine whether the information is to be provided electronically or in some other similar manner. The information shall be provided at least biennially on January 1, or when a significant change is made. If no significant change has been made by the hospital since the information was previously provided, notifying the department of the lack of change shall meet the requirements of this section. The department shall make this information available to the public on its internet website.(b) The department shall review a hospital’s policy for compliance with this article by January 1, 2023, and whenever a significant change is made and submitted to the department.(c) A patient shall not be denied financial assistance that would be available pursuant to the policy published on the department’s internet website at the time of service.(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 84) by Stats. 2021, Ch. 473, Sec. 11. (AB 1020) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127440 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127440.

127440.  The hospital shall reimburse the patient or patients any amount actually paid in excess of the amount due under this article, including interest. Interest owed by the hospital to the patient shall accrue at the rate set forth in Section 685.010 of the Code of Civil Procedure, beginning on the date payment by the patient is received by the hospital. However, a hospital is not required to reimburse the patient or pay interest if the amount due is less than five dollars ($5.00). The hospital shall refund the patient within 30 days.(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 473, Sec. 13. (AB 1020) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127443 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127443.

127443.  The rights, remedies, and penalties established by this article are cumulative, and shall not supersede the rights, remedies, or penalties established under other laws.(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 755, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127444 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127444.

127444.  (a) This article does not prohibit a hospital from uniformly imposing charges from its established charge schedule or published rates or preclude the recognition of a hospital’s established charge schedule or published rates for purposes of applying any payment limit, interim payment amount, or other payment calculation based upon a hospital’s rates or charges under the Medi-Cal program, the Medicare Program, workers’ compensation, or other federal, state, or local public program of health benefits. (b) This article does not prohibit a hospital, debt collector, or debt buyer from selling or otherwise transferring patient debt to an organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for the explicit purpose of the tax-exempt organization abolishing the patient debt by cancellation of the indebtedness, or otherwise prohibit payment of the patient’s debt by a third party. (c) A health care service plan, insurer, or any other person shall not reduce the amount it would otherwise reimburse a claim for hospital services because a hospital has waived, or will waive, collection of all or a portion of a patient’s bill for hospital services in accordance with the hospital’s charity care or discount payment policy, notwithstanding any contractual provision.(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 473, Sec. 14. (AB 1020) Effective January 1, 2022.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127445 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127445.

127445.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amounts paid by parties for services resulting from reduced or waived charges under a hospital’s discounted payment or charity care policy shall not constitute a hospital’s uniform, published, prevailing, or customary charges, its usual fees to the general public, or its charges to non-Medi-Cal purchasers under comparable circumstances, and shall not be used to calculate a hospital’s median non-Medicare or Medi-Cal charges, for purposes of any payment limit under the federal Medicare Program, the Medi-Cal program, or any other federal or state-financed health care program.(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 755, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127446 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 1 - Hospital Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127446.

127446.  To the extent that any requirement of Section 127400, 127401, or 127405 results in a federal determination that a hospital’s established charge schedule or published rates are not the hospital’s customary or prevailing charges for services, the requirement in question shall be inoperative for all general acute care hospitals, including, but not limited to, a hospital that is licensed to and operated by a county or a hospital authority established pursuant to Section 101850. The State Department of Public Health shall seek federal guidance regarding modifications to the requirement in question. All other requirements of this article shall remain in effect.(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 483, Sec. 36. Effective January 1, 2008.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127451 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 2 - Emergency Physician Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127451.

127451.  A violation of this article shall not constitute a violation of the terms of a physician and surgeon’s licensure. (Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 445, Sec. 4. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2011.)
CA Health & Safety Code § 127456 (2021)
2021 California Code|Health and Safety Code - HSC|DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION|PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING|CHAPTER 2.5 - Fair Pricing Policies|ARTICLE 2 - Emergency Physician Fair Pricing Policies|Section 127456.

127456.  (a) The period described in Section 127455 shall be extended if the patient has a pending appeal for coverage of the services, until a final determination of that appeal is made, if the patient makes a reasonable effort to communicate with the emergency physician about the progress of any pending appeals.(b) For purposes of this section, “pending appeal” includes any of the following:(1) A grievance against a contracting health care service plan, as described in Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2, or against an insurer, as described in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 10110) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Insurance Code.(2) An independent medical review, as described in Section 10145.3 or 10169 of the Insurance Code. (3) A fair hearing for a review of a Medi-Cal claim pursuant to Section 10950 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.(4) An appeal regarding Medicare coverage consistent with federal law and regulations.(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 445, Sec. 4. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2011.)