Mending the Health Net

The Legislature has sent Gov. George Deukmejian a number of bills offering modest relief for crucial health-care programs that have been suffering from a shortage of funds. It is a rare opportunity to improve these services.

Three of the bills would help mend what have been described by the California Assn. of Public Hospitals as “gaping holes developing in the state’s health-care safety net.” Of particular importance is AB 4563, sponsored by Assemblyman Burt Margolin (D-Los Angeles), which would provide $50 million in state and federal funds to hospitals with disproportionate shares of non-paying patients. To be eligible for the increased funding, hospitals would be required to commit themselves to continuing emergency services--a useful incentive to discourage further deterioration of the emergency and trauma network, particularly in Los Angeles County. SB 1732, co-sponsored by Sen. Robert B. Presley (D-Riverside) and Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan (D-Fresno), would provide some Medi-Cal funding for capital costs at hospitals carrying disproportionate shares of uncompensated treatment. SB 2563, sponsored by Bronzan and Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno), would generate an additional $16 million in state and federal funds each year for outpatient services in disproportionate-share hospitals.

Significant improvement in the state’s prenatal program would be provided by SB 2579, introduced by Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach). The increased rates for obstetricians would almost certainly encourage more participation by physicians in the Medi-Cal program. Maddy’s SB 175 would bring the state access to federal funding under immigration-reform legislation intended to help finance prenatal and emergency-room services for immigrants.

One specialist in health-care legislation said that the session has been the most productive in that area in recent years. Whether that matters will depend on whether the governor signs the bills.