Health Care Task Force Update
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Pictured: Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Founder and CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco.
The Health Care Task Force gathered on July 24th for a lively discussion about the enacted state budget and its potential implications. The Task Force welcomed their new chair, Ashley Georgian, from John Muir Health and were excited to hear about her organization's recent work with fellow health system partners to jointly examine and prioritize health needs in Contra Costa County. The group also discussed future meeting topics including tooth decay and the possibility of collaboration with other EBLC Task Forces, such as housing.
2019-20 Enacted CA State Budget Health Highlights:
- Establishes the Office of the Surgeon General in law
- Includes $428.6 million for state subsidies to reduce the cost of health insurance purchased on the individual market (through Covered California)
- Expands Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented young adults, ages 19 through 25
- Includes restoration of certain Medi-Cal Optional Benefits including audiology and speech therapy services and podiatric services
- Includes funds to address the shortage of mental health practitioners in the public mental health system
- Includes funds for programs for aging adults:
- funds for local Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs
- grants to local Area Agencies on Aging for injury prevention education
- funds for the Alzheimer's Disease Program to support research grants
- $357.6 million General Fund to restore the 7-percent across-the-board reduction to IHSS service hours
- Includes funds for increased home visiting and the Black Infant Health program
