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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 03112008 - C.52 sqn TO: Board of Supervisors -' { Contra FROM: Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee � ► ': (Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, Chair) ,-a ''"`�' '' Costa �.-�;- q:..� DATE: February 11, 2008 County y SUBJECT: Legislation regarding Medi-Cal reimbursement for non-emergency medical transportation SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board to sign the letter in Exhibit A supporting Assemblymember Mark DeSaulnier's legislative efforts regarding Medi-Cal reimbursement for non-emergency medical transportation, as recommended by the Transportation,.Water and Infrastructure committee. FISCAL IMPACT NONE to the General Fund. If legislation is passed to provide Medi-Cal reimbursement for non- emergency medical transportation, it could benefit Medi-Cal patients in Contra Costa County as well as the transportation service. providers in the County who provide transit or paratransit service to non-emergency medical appointments. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS In January, Assemblymember Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) introduced legislation (AB 1637) that would provide Medi-Cal reimbursement for public transit or paratransit rides to non- emergency medical appointments.Non-emergency medical appointments range from routine doctors' appointments to kidney dialysis or other ongoing treatments. California is one of the few states — if not the only state — that.does not permit Medicaid reimbursements for non- emergency medical transportation (Medi-Cal is California's version of Medicaid, the medical insurance program for low-income persons). CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X ,YES RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X RECOM TION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S). S�eervisor Gay el B. Uilkema Sus"sor Mary N. Piepho ACTION OF BOARD ONrA(1Ath U ZXS APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED �O HER i VOTE OF SUPERVISORS / I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE V UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: John Greitzer/ (925/335-1201) ATTESTED I1&Q� It. 2C05 cc: Community Development Department (CDD) JOHN CULLE)V, CLERK OF C. Dahlgren, County Connection THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS P. Branson, EHSD AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR G:\Transportation\Committees\TWIG\2008\Board Orders\march 11 non_emerg.doc BY T,ULQ��1Gt��t'I,t,UZ, , DEPUTY v a NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION FEBRUARY 11, 2008 Page 2 BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS (Continued) Assemblymember DeSaulnier's bill, AB 1637, recently died in committee, as did virtually all bills that could impact the state budget. However, his staff indicated he is interested in introducing a similar bill in next year's session, and he seeks to discuss the matter further with County staff and staff of the County's bus transit and paratransit providers. The Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee discussed the legislative effort on this issue at its meeting on February 11 and recommends the Board of Supervisors authorize a letter to Assemblymember DeSaulnier expressing support forthe concept and suggesting some additional points that should be added to future legislation on this item. The letter is attached to this report as Exhibit A. EXHIBIT A The Board of Supervisors Contra John Cullen County Administration BuildingCOsta Clerk of the Board 651 Pine Street,Room 106 and Martinez,California 94553 COUnty County Administrator (925)335-1900 John Gioia, 1"District Gayle 13.Uilkenta,2"d District . Mar),N.Piepho,3rd District --- Susan A.Bonilla,4"'District ;. Federal 1).Glover,5"'District March 11, 2008 The Honorable Mark DeSaulnier Assembly District 11 Capitol Building P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249-0011. Dear Assemblymember DeSaulnier: The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors wishes to express its support for your recent legislative attempt (AB 1637) to provide Medi-Cal reimbursement eligibility for transportation service to non-emergency medical appointments. While we understand your bill will not move forward this year due to budget concerns, we want to express our appreciation for your efforts on this issue and we urge you to consider another attempt in a future legislative session. . In addition to expressing support for this important change in the Medi-Cal program, the Board of Supervisors also has directed County staff to provide any assistance that you or your staff may request in researching the issue or further developing the legislative concept. The Board believes a future bill would benefit from adding provisions that would also provide Medi-Cal reimbursements for taxi fare or mileage from driving to a non-emergency medical appointment, as is done in many states, and a provision that the party receiving reimbursement must provide documentation of the services and costs being reimbursed. Thank you for your efforts on this issue. For further assistance on this topic please contact Paul Branson in the Employment and Human Services Department at (925) 3.13-1702. Sincerely, Federal D. Glover, Chair Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors FDGUG G:\Transportation\Committees\TWIC\2008\Board Orders\march I I non_emerg exhibit A.doc C: D. Barry,Community Development Director S.Goetz,Community Development Department R. Ramacier,County Connection 11. Branson,Employment&Human Services Department 4 The Board of Supervisors Contra John Cullen Clerk,of the Board County Administration Building Costa Cand 651 Pine Street,Room 106 County County Administrator Martiner.,California 94553 (925)335-1900 John Gioia, I"District Gayle B.Uilkema.2n"District Mary N.Piepho,.V District Susan A.Bonilla,4"District �;• __ ¢ Federal 1).Glover,511'District ¢� s� March 11, 2008 The Honorable'Mark`D65aulnier Assembly District I ] - Capitol Building P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249-0011 Dear Assemblymember DeSaulnier: The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors wishes to express its.support for your recent legislative attempt (AB 1637) to provide Medi-Cal reimbursement eligibility for transportation service to non-emergency medical appointments. While we understand your bill will not move forward this year due to budget concerns,we want to express our appreciation for your efforts on this issue and we urge you to consider another attempt in a future legislative session. In addition to expressing support for this important change in the Medi-Cal program, the Board of Supervisors also has directed County staff to provide any assistance that you or your staff may request in researching the issue or further developing the legislative concept. The Board believes a future bill would benefit from adding provisions that would also provide Medi-Cal reimbursements for taxi fare or mileage from driving to a non-emergency medical appointment, as is done in many states, and a provision that the party receiving reimbursement must provide documentation of the services and costs being reimbursed. Thank you for your efforts on this issue. For further assistance on this topic please contact Paul Branson in the Employment and Human Services Department at (925) 313-1702. Sincerely, V ::j ederaI . Glover, Chair ontra Costa County Board of Supervisors FDG\G G:\Transportation\Committees\TWIG\2008\Board Orders\march 1 1 non_emerg exhibit A.doc C: D. Barry,Community Development Director S.Goetz,Community Development Department R.Ramacier,County Connection P.Branson,Employment&Human Services Department