California Medical Assistance Commission Records, 1983-2007

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Summary

Creators:
California Medical Assistance Commission
Abstract:
The California Medical Assistance Commission was established by Chapter 329 of the Statutes of 1982. The Commission's purpose is to contract with health care service providers to deliver health care services to Medi-Cal recipients. The records of the California Medical Assistance Commission contain 8 cubic feet of textual records, spanning the years 1988 through 1993.
Extent:
8 cubic feet
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English

Background

Scope and content:

The records of the California Medical Assistance Commission contain 8 cubic feet of textual records and 2 compact discs, spanning the years 1983 through 2007. They are organized into three series: Meeting Files, Chronological Correspondence, and Chairman Correspondence.

Most files in this collection relate to the Commission's ongoing contract negotiations with hospitals and health care service providers, such as memoranda between the Commission members and their staff, correspondence from the hospitals and providers, financial statements from the providers, and transcripts of testimony given before the Commission. Also included are drafts of the Commission's annual report to the Legislature on its activities, correspondence from the Governor and members of the Legislature regarding appointments to the Commission, and letters of resignation from members leaving the Commission.

Researchers looking for insight into state policy regarding the Medi-Cal program and health care in general will find little of interest in this collection. Nearly all files relate to technical issues such as how much the state was willing to pay, and how much hospitals and health service providers were attempting to receive, for providing key Medi-Cal services and benefits.

Biographical / historical:

The major functions of the Commission are to direct and review proposed contracts for Medi-Cal services negotiated by the Executive Director of the Commission. These contracts may be negotiated with hospitals, county health systems and health care plans (e.g., insurance companies, prepaid health plans, independent practice associations and university medical centers). The Commission itself does not negotiate contracts; its Executive Director does, and the members of the Commission then have twenty days to either reject or propose amendments to any contracts. It is estimated that, through the contract negotiation process, the Commission saves the State General Fund $850 million annually, and has saved the state $11 billion since its establishment.

Chapter 749 of the Statutes of 1995 authorized the Commission to work with the Department of Corrections to assist in planning and negotiating contracts for the purchase of health care services for state prison inmates. The Commission is authorized to either consult with the Department or to negotiate directly with health care providers on behalf of the Department, depending on mutual agreement between the two.

The Commission is composed of seven voting members appointed to four-year terms. Three are appointed by the Governor, two by the Senate President Pro Tempore and two by the Speaker of the Assembly. In addition, there are two ex officio members: the Directors of the Department of Health Care Services and the Department of Finance.

As of 2009, The Commission was still active and met twice a month. During the period covered by these records (1988-1993), the chairs of the Commission were Robert Walker (1988-1991) and Frederick L. Shanbour (1991-1993).

Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the California Medical Assistance Commission Records according to state law.
Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
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