Agenda

Return

C.17

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Legislation Committee
Date:	May 5, 2009

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

SUPPORT POSITION for SB 114 (Liu): Medi-Cal: independent foster care

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/05/2009

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

L. DeLaney, 5-1097

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: May 5, 2009
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

SUPPORT Senate Bill 114 (Liu), legislation that would require independent foster care adolescents to be enrolled in Medi-Cal without reapplication after April 1, 2010, as recommended by the Legislation Committee.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Unknown. However, the author argues that it does not make moral or fiscal sense for the state to spend scarce dollars and staff hours making these former foster youth fill out Medi-Cal paperwork since they cannot, by law, be refused eligibility.

BACKGROUND:

SB 114, by Senator Carol Liu, will automatically deem an independent foster care adolescent eligible for Medi-Cal benefits on his or her 18th birthday without any interruption to coverage and without requiring a new application for benefits.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

In 2000, California exercised its option to provide Medi-Cal to former foster youth and children transitioning out of foster care at age 18 up until they turn 21. SB 114 seeks to help former foster youth maintain their Medi-Cal benefits under this option despite this population’s often transitory and varied living arrangements.

Under SB 114, annual redetermination forms still will be sent to former foster youth, but a failure to return the form would not result in a change in eligibility, as long as other eligibility requirements are met. In addition, the state may terminate the foster youth’s Medi-Cal benefits only if it is determined that a former foster youth is no longer eligible. This process would meet federal redetermination requirements and eliminate unnecessary paperwork, while ensuring that eligible youth do not lose their Medi-Cal benefits before the age of 21.

Former foster youth face an uphill battle when they are released from foster care at 18 and expected to take on significant adult responsibilities. The state of California has recognized since 2000 that access to medical care for this vulnerable population is a necessary component of success in employment and education. SB 114 will help former foster youth remain healthy and more able to compete in the adult world.

For these reasons, CSAC supports SB 114. SB 114 was sent to Senate Appropriations Committee on 4/20.

Prior legislation SB 1132 (Migden) of 2008 contained substantially similar language to this bill and was vetoed by the Governor, who stated: "federal law currently requires states to conduct annual eligibility determinations for Medi-Cal beneficiaries." According to the author, SB 114 has been drafted with assistance from DHCS to address the Governor's concerns.

SB 147 (Alper,2000) would have required eliminated income and asset tests when determining Medi-Cal eligibility of independent foster care adolescents. This bill was vetoed.

AB 2877 (Thompson), Chapter 93, Statutes of 2000, extended Medi-Cal eligibility to foster youth up to age 21, in accordance with a new federal option.

Supporters argue that SB 114 would clarify current law and procedures to ensure that youth who have left foster care are able to receive services with minimal action on their part, which will ensure ongoing health care coverage for these young adults, who often face tremendous odds against their success.