reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 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.)
2023 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.)
2023 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.)
2023 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.)
2023 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.)
2023 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.)
2023 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.)
2023 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.)
2023 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.)
2023 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 127457.

127457. (a) After the period described in Section 127455, and upon the completion of appeals consistent with Section 127456, prior to commencing further collection activities against a patient, the emergency physician, any assignee of the emergency physician, or other owner of the patient debt, including a collection agency, shall not report adverse information to a consumer credit reporting agency or commence a civil action, until after the patient has been provided 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 a.m. or after 9 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 reporting adverse information to a consumer credit reporting agency or commencing a civil action against the patient. If an emergency physician 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.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 445, Sec. 4. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 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 127458.

127458. The emergency physician 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 emergency physician 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 emergency physician. However, an emergency physician is not required to reimburse the patient or pay interest if the amount due is less than five dollars ($5). The emergency physician shall give the patient a credit for the amount due for at least 60 days from the date the amount is due.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 445, Sec. 4. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 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 127459.

127459. 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. 2010, Ch. 445, Sec. 4. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 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 127460.

127460. Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit the emergency physician from uniformly imposing charges from its established charge schedule or published rates, nor shall this article preclude the recognition of an emergency physician’s established charge schedule or published rates for purposes of applying any payment limit, interim payment amount, or other payment calculation based upon an emergency physician’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. No health care service plan, insurer, or any other person shall reduce the amount it would otherwise reimburse a claim for emergency physician services because an emergency physician has waived, or will waive, collection of all or a portion of a patient’s bill for emergency physician services in accordance with the emergency physician’s discount payment policy, notwithstanding any contractual provision.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 445, Sec. 4. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 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 127461.

127461. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amounts paid by parties for services resulting from reduced or waived charges under an emergency physician’s discounted payment policy shall not constitute an emergency physician’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 an emergency physician’s median non-Medicare or non-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. 2010, Ch. 445, Sec. 4. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 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 127462.

127462. To the extent that any requirement of this article results in a federal determination that an emergency physician’s established charge schedule or published rates are not the physician and surgeon’s customary or prevailing charges for services, the requirement in question shall be inoperative for all emergency physicians. 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.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 445, Sec. 4. (AB 1503) Effective January 1, 2011.)
2023 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 3 - Prescription Drug Pricing for Covered Entities › Section 127470.

127470. For purposes of this article:
(a) “Covered drug” means a drug purchased by a covered entity that is subject to the federal pricing requirements set forth in Section 256b of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(b) “Covered entity” means a provider defined as a covered entity in Section 256b of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(c) “Pharmacy benefit manager” has the same meaning as defined in Section 4430 of the Business and Professions Code and includes a wholly or partially owned or controlled subsidiary of a pharmacy benefit manager.
(d) “Specified pharmacy” means a pharmacy owned by, or under contract with, a covered entity that is registered with the 340B discount drug purchasing program to dispense covered drugs on behalf of the covered entity, whether in person or via mail.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 414, Sec. 1. (SB 786) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 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 3 - Prescription Drug Pricing for Covered Entities › Section 127471.

127471. (a) A pharmacy benefit manager shall not impose any requirements, conditions, or exclusions that do either of the following:
(1) Discriminate against a covered entity or a specified pharmacy in connection with dispensing covered drugs.
(2) Prevent a covered entity from retaining the benefit of discounted pricing for the purchase of covered drugs.
(b) Discrimination prohibited pursuant to subdivision (a) includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Payment terms, reimbursement methodologies, or other terms and conditions that distinguish between covered drugs and other drugs, account for the availability of discounts under the 340B discount drug purchasing program described in Section 256b of Title 42 of the United States Code in determining reimbursement, or are less favorable than the payment terms or reimbursement methodologies for similarly situated entities that are not furnishing or dispensing covered drugs.
(2) Terms or conditions applied to covered entities or specified pharmacies based on the furnishing or dispensing of covered drugs or their status as a covered entity or specified pharmacy, including restrictions or requirements for participation in specialty, standard, or preferred pharmacy networks, or requirements related to the frequency or scope of audits.
(3) Refusing to contract with or terminating a contract with a covered entity or specified pharmacy, or otherwise excluding a covered entity or specified pharmacy from a specialty, standard or preferred network, on the basis that the entity or pharmacy is a covered entity or a specified pharmacy or for reasons other than those that apply equally to entities or pharmacies that are not covered entities or specified pharmacies.
(4) Retaliation against a covered entity or specified pharmacy based on its exercise of any right or remedy under this article.
(5) Interfering with an individual’s choice to receive a covered drug from a covered entity or specified pharmacy, whether in person or via direct delivery, mail, or other form of shipment.
(6) Restricting or prohibiting a covered entity from raising a grievance or speaking publicly about any pharmacy benefit manager that violates this subdivision or from filing a legal action against a pharmacy benefit manager for violating this subdivision.
(c) This section does not apply to the Medi-Cal program or the federal Medicare Program but does apply to pharmacy benefit managers that contract with managed care organizations that serve Medi-Cal or Medicare members.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not be waived, voided, or nullified by contract.
(e) This article shall only be implemented to the extent that it is consistent with Section 256b of Title 42 of the United States Code or any rules or regulations adopted thereunder.
(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 414, Sec. 1. (SB 786) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 2.6 - Health Care Affordability › ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 127500.

127500. This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Health Care Quality and Affordability Act.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 19. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 2.6 - Health Care Affordability › ARTICLE 2 - Office of Health Care Affordability › Section 127501.2.

127501.2. (a) Until January 1, 2027, any necessary rules and regulations for the purpose of implementing this chapter may be adopted as emergency regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). The adoption of emergency regulations pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general welfare.
(b) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, including subdivisions (e) and (h) of Section 11346.1, an emergency regulation adopted pursuant to this section shall be repealed by operation of law unless the adoption, amendment, or repeal of the regulation is promulgated by the office pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code within five years of the initial adoption of the emergency regulation.
(c) Any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this section shall be discussed by the board during at least one board meeting before the office adopts the rule or regulation.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 19. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 2.6 - Health Care Affordability › ARTICLE 2 - Office of Health Care Affordability › Section 127501.3.

127501.3. (a) The office shall be responsive to requests for additional information from the Legislature, including providing testimony during hearings and commenting on proposed legislation or policy issues.
(b) The Legislature finds and declares that activities, including, but not limited to, responding to legislative or executive inquiries, tracking and commenting on legislation and regulatory activities, and preparing reports on the implementation of this chapter and the performance of the office, are necessary state requirements.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 19. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 2.6 - Health Care Affordability › ARTICLE 2 - Office of Health Care Affordability › Section 127501.8.

127501.8. (a) There is hereby established in the State Treasury the Health Care Affordability Fund for the purpose of receiving and expending revenues collected pursuant to this chapter. This fund is subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
(b) All moneys in the fund shall be expended in a manner that prioritizes the return of the moneys to consumers and purchasers.
(c) The office may identify any opportunities to leverage existing public and private financial resources to provide technical assistance to health care entities and support to the office. Any private or public moneys obtained may be placed in the Health Care Affordability Fund, for use by the office upon appropriation by the Legislature.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 19. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 2.6 - Health Care Affordability › ARTICLE 4 - Quality and Equity Performance › Section 127503.

127503. (a) (1) The office shall adopt a single set of standard measures for assessing health care quality and equity across payers, fully integrated delivery systems, hospitals, and physician organizations. Performance on quality and health equity measures shall be included in the annual report required in Section 127501.6.
(2) The standard quality and equity measures shall use recognized clinical quality, patient experience, patient safety, and utilization measures for health care service plans, health insurers, hospitals, and physician organizations.
(3) The standard quality and equity measures shall reflect the diversity of California in terms of race, ethnicity, sex, age, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status. The standard quality and equity measures shall be appropriate for a population under 65 years of age, including children and adults.
(4) The standard quality and equity measures shall consider available means for reliable measurement of disparities in health care, including race, ethnicity, sex, age, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status.
(5) The office shall reduce administrative burden by selecting quality and equity measures that simplify reporting and align performance measurement with other payers, programs, and state agencies, including leveraging existing voluntary and required reporting to the greatest extent possible. The office shall further reduce administrative burden by encouraging other payers and programs to use the same reporting mechanisms.
(6) Public reporting developed pursuant to this article shall consider differences among payers, fully integrated delivery systems, hospitals, and physician organizations, including factors such as plan or network design or line of business, provider payer mix, and the risk mix associated with the covered lives or patient population for which they are primarily responsible.
(b) In implementing this section, the office shall coordinate with the Department of Managed Health Care to align with requirements under Article 11.9 (commencing with Section 1399.870) of Chapter 2.2 of Division 2. The office shall also coordinate with the State Department of Health Care Services, Covered California, and the Public Employees’ Retirement System, and shall consult with state departments, external quality improvement organizations and forums, payers, physicians, other providers, and consumer advocates or stakeholders with expertise in quality or equity measurement.
(c) The office shall periodically review and update the priority set of standard measures for assessing the quality and equity of care pursuant to subdivision (a).
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 738, Sec. 6. (AB 204) Effective September 29, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 2.6 - Health Care Affordability › ARTICLE 7 - Health Care Workforce Stability › Section 127506.

127506. (a) The intent of this section is to monitor the effects of cost targets on health care workforce stability, high-quality jobs, and training needs of health care workers, in addition to adjustments to cost targets pertaining to nonsupervisory employee organized labor costs pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (d) of Section 127502. The Legislature intends that the office use a transparent process that allows for public input to monitor how health care entities achieve the cost targets and highlight best practices and discourage practices harmful to workers and patients.
(b) The office shall monitor health care costs while promoting health care workforce stability, including the competitive wages and benefits of frontline health care workers, and the professional judgment of health professionals acting within their scope of practice. The office shall monitor health care workforce stability with the goal that workforce shortages do not undermine health care affordability, access, quality, equity, and culturally and linguistically competent care. The office shall also promote the goal of health care affordability, while recognizing the need to maintain and increase the supply of trained health care workers.
(c) To assist health care entities in implementing cost-reducing strategies that advance the stability of the health care workforce, and without exacerbating existing health care workforce shortages, the office, on or before July 2024, in consultation with the board and with input from organized labor representing health care workers, health care entities, and other entities and individuals with expertise in the health care workforce, shall develop standards to advance the stability of the health care workforce. The standards may be considered in the setting of cost targets pursuant to Section 127502 or in the approval of performance improvement plans imposed pursuant to Section 127502.5.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 19. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 2.6 - Health Care Affordability › ARTICLE 8 - Health Care Market Trends › Section 127507.4.

127507.4. In furtherance of this article, the office may do all of the following:
(a) Contract with, consult, and receive advice from any state agency on terms and conditions that the office deems appropriate.
(b) Contract with experts or consultants to assist in reviewing a proposed agreement or transaction.
(1) Contract costs shall not exceed an amount that is reasonable and necessary to conduct the review and complete the report.
(2) The office shall be entitled to reimbursement from the health care entity subject to review for all actual, reasonable, and direct costs incurred in reviewing, evaluating, and making the determination referred to in Section 127507.2, including administrative costs. The health care entity subject to review shall promptly pay the office, upon request, for all of those costs.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 19. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 2.6 - Health Care Affordability › ARTICLE 8 - Health Care Market Trends › Section 127507.6.

127507.6. In addition to any legal remedies, the office shall be entitled to specific performance, injunctive relief, and other equitable remedies a court deems appropriate for enforcement of any of the requirements of this article and shall be entitled to recover its attorney’s fees and costs incurred in remedying each violation.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 19. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127630.

127630. For purposes of this chapter:
(a) “Abortion” has the same meaning as defined in Section 123464.
(b) “Contraception” means the services and contraceptive methods described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 1367.25.
(c) “Department” means the Department of Health Care Access and Information.
(d) “Fund” means the California Reproductive Health Equity Fund established pursuant to Section 127631.
(e) “Program” means the California Reproductive Health Equity Program established pursuant to Section 127632.
(f) “Religious employer” has the same meaning as described in Section 1367.25.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127631.

127631. (a) The California Reproductive Health Equity Fund is hereby established.
(b) The primary purpose of the fund is to provide grant funding to safety net providers of abortion and contraception services through the California Reproductive Health Equity Program and to otherwise ensure affordability of and access to abortion and contraception to anyone who seeks care in California, regardless of their ability to pay for care.
(c) The fund shall also be used to pay for the cost of administering the program and for any other purpose authorized by this chapter. The level of expenditure by the department for the administrative support of the program created pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to review and approval annually through the annual budget process.
(d) The department may receive private donations to be deposited into the fund.
(e) The money in the fund is continuously appropriated to the department for the purposes of this chapter. The department shall manage this fund prudently in accordance with the law.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127632.

127632. (a) The California Reproductive Health Equity Program is hereby established within the department.
(b) The purpose of the program is to ensure abortion and contraception are affordable for and accessible to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, and to provide financial support for safety net providers of these services to offset the costs of providing uncompensated care to patients with low incomes who would otherwise lack access to care.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127633.

127633. (a) A Medi-Cal enrolled provider, as determined by the State Department of Health Care Services, may apply for a grant, and a continuation award after the initial grant, under this chapter if they agree to provide abortion and contraception services in accordance with all of the following:
(1) The abortion and contraception services provided are within the provider’s scope of practice and licensure.
(2) The provider agrees to be identified, in a manner determined by the department, as a participating provider in the program. An institutional provider shall not be required to identify any individual who is an abortion provider as a condition of a grant awarded pursuant to this chapter.
(3) To the extent services provided are covered pursuant to Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the services shall be provided at no cost or a reduced cost to an individual with a household income at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level who meets both of the following criteria:
(A) Is uninsured or has health care coverage that does not include both abortion and contraception.
(B) Is not otherwise eligible to receive both abortion and contraception at no cost through the Medi-Cal and Family PACT programs.
(b) For purposes of this chapter, an individual’s self-declaration of income and source of health care coverage made to the provider at the time of service shall be all that is required to determine whether the individual may be able to access no-cost or reduced-cost services pursuant to this chapter.
(c) This chapter does not require a provider to accept additional patients if, in the reasonable professional judgment of the provider, accepting additional patients would endanger access to, or continuity of, care for existing patients.
(d) The department shall work with the State Department of Health Care Services to notify Medi-Cal enrolled providers of the availability of funding under this chapter, including any pertinent deadlines and other requirements.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127634.

127634. (a) An application for a grant under this chapter shall be made on a form to be developed by the department.
(b) An application shall include both of the following:
(1) A justification of the amount of grant funds requested, including both of the following:
(A) The cost of uncompensated abortion and contraceptive services the applicant provided to patients with household incomes at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level in the previous 12 months.
(B) The anticipated cost of uncompensated abortion and contraception services to be provided to patients with household incomes at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level in the upcoming 12 months.
(2) Other pertinent information that the department requires.
(c) The department shall develop an application form and shall begin accepting applications for grants pursuant to this chapter on or before January 1, 2023.
(d) For purposes of subdivision (b), the cost of uncompensated abortion and contraception services shall:
(1) Be calculated based on the amount the provider would expect to receive for providing these services to a patient enrolled in the Medi-Cal program.
(2) Include those services provided through prescription, including laboratory and pharmaceutical, as well as services that are the result of complications related to services provided pursuant to this chapter, to the extent they would be covered pursuant to Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(e) For purposes of this section, the department shall not require the submission of personal information about individuals receiving uncompensated abortion and contraception services as part of an application. Information required by the department shall only include information in summary, statistical, or other forms that do not identify particular individuals.
(f) An application for a grant under this chapter shall be exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code).
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127635.

127635. (a) Within the limits of funds available, the department may award grants that, in the department’s judgment, best promote the purposes described in Section 127632, taking into account all of the following:
(1) The extent to which abortion and contraception services are needed locally.
(2) The ability of the applicant to advance health equity.
(3) The relative need of the applicant.
(b) The department shall determine the amount of an award on the basis of the amount of funds requested.
(c) Unless otherwise specified by the department, an initial grant shall be for a 12-month period.
(d) Determination regarding a grant award shall be made within 60 days of receipt of a completed application.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127636.

127636. (a) An application for a continuation award under this chapter shall be made on a form to be developed by the department.
(b) Decisions regarding continuation awards and the funding level of those awards shall be made after consideration of factors that include the recipient’s anticipated level of need and the availability of funds.
(c) Unless otherwise specified by the department, a continuation award shall be for a 12-month period.
(d) An application for a continuation award under this chapter shall be exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code).
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127637.

127637. Funds awarded pursuant to this chapter shall be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds were awarded, in accordance with the approved application and budget, implementation guidance issued by the department, and the terms and conditions of the grant or continuation award.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127638.

127638. In implementing the program, the department shall consult with interested parties, including the State Department of Health Care Services, the Department of Managed Health Care, the Department of Insurance, abortion and contraception providers, consumer advocates, and other stakeholders it deems appropriate.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 6 - Reproductive Health Equity › Section 127639.

127639. The department shall conduct an evaluation of the program and shall report its findings to the Legislature by no later than July 1, 2024, and on an annual basis no later than each July 1 thereafter. The department may use funds in the fund for the evaluation of the program. The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 562, Sec. 2. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 7 - University of California Assessment on Legislation Proposing Mandated Benefits or Services › Section 127661.

127661. A request pursuant to this chapter may be made by an appropriate policy or fiscal committee chairperson, the Speaker of the Assembly, or the President pro Tempore of the Senate, who shall forward the introduced bill to the University of California for assessment.
(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 795, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003. Inoperative July 1, 2027. Repealed as of January 1, 2028, pursuant to Section 127665.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 7 - University of California Assessment on Legislation Proposing Mandated Benefits or Services › Section 127662.

127662. (a) In order to effectively support the University of California and its work in implementing this chapter, there is hereby established in the State Treasury, the Health Care Benefits Fund. The university’s work in providing the bill analyses shall be supported from the fund.
(b) For the 2022–23 to 2026–27 fiscal years, inclusive, each health care service plan, except a specialized health care service plan, and each health insurer offering health insurance, as defined in Section 106 of the Insurance Code, shall be assessed an annual fee in an amount determined through regulation. The amount of the fee shall be determined by the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance in consultation with the university and shall be limited to the amount necessary to fund the actual and necessary expenses of the university and its work in implementing this chapter. The total annual assessment on health care service plans and health insurers shall not exceed two million two hundred thousand dollars ($2,200,000).
(c) The Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance, in coordination with the university, shall assess the health care service plans and health insurers, respectively, for the costs required to fund the university’s activities pursuant to subdivision (b).
(1) Health care service plans shall be notified of the assessment on or before June 15 of each year with the annual assessment notice issued pursuant to Section 1356. The assessment pursuant to this section is separate and independent of the assessments in Section 1356.
(2) Health insurers shall be noticed of the assessment in accordance with the notice for the annual assessment or quarterly premium tax revenues.
(3) The assessed fees required pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be paid on an annual basis no later than August 1 of each year. The Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance shall forward the assessed fees to the Controller for deposit in the Health Care Benefits Fund immediately following their receipt.
(4) “Health insurance,” as used in this subdivision, does not include Medicare supplement, vision-only, dental-only, or CHAMPUS supplement insurance, or hospital indemnity, accident-only, or specified disease insurance that does not pay benefits on a fixed benefit, cash payment only basis.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 592, Sec. 1. (AB 1082) Effective January 1, 2022. Inoperative July 1, 2027. Repealed as of January 1, 2028, pursuant to Section 127665.)
2023 California Code › Health and Safety Code - HSC › DIVISION 107 - HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATION › PART 2 - HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING › CHAPTER 7 - University of California Assessment on Legislation Proposing Mandated Benefits or Services › Section 127663.

127663. In order to avoid conflicts of interest, the Legislature requests the University of California to develop and implement conflict-of-interest provisions to prohibit a person from participating in any analysis in which the person knows or has reason to know he or she has a material financial interest, including, but not limited to, a person who has a consulting or other agreement with a person or organization that would be affected by the legislation.
(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 795, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003. Inoperative July 1, 2027. Repealed as of January 1, 2028, pursuant to Section 127665.)