Health Care Services Department Records, 1960-1971

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Summary

Title:
Department of Health Care Services Records
Dates:
1960-1971
Creators:
Department of Health Care Services
Abstract:
The records of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) document the earliest years of the California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal), which was established in 1965. This record group contains 20.5 cubic feet of textual records and 12 audio reels. The records are organized into three subgroups, contain a total of fifteen record series, and cover the period from 1966 to 1973.
Extent:
20.5 cubic feet of textual records and 12 audio reels
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Department of Health Care Services Records, [ID Number]:[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The records of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) document the earliest years of the California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal). This record group contains 20.5 cubic feet of textual records and 12 audio reels. The records are organized into three subgroups, contain a total of fifteen record series, and cover the period from 1966 to 1973.

The first subgroup is the Office of Health Care Services, the precursor to the department of the same name. It contains one subject file, dated 1966-1967, which provides general information on the newly established Medi-Cal program.

The second subgroup is the Administration Division and contains five series. The director's files concern the overall vision of the Medi-Cal program. Notable topics include Governor's Reorganization Plan and professional and trade associations. The deputy director's files concern the legal compliance of Medi-Cal. Notable topics include court cases and the State Plan. The Office Services Bureau files document the internal workings of the Administration Division. Notable topics include advisory groups, comprehensive health plans, and claims. The subject files document a variety of topics addressed by the Administration Division. Notable topics include Office of Economic Opportunity and pilot projects. The news clippings document the published articles and opinions regarding Medi-Cal. Notable topics include identification cards and compliance.

The Administration Division is further separated into two sub-subgroups: Management Analysis Bureau and Executive Office. The Management Analysis Bureau contains four series. The project files document management analysis studies conducted by the bureau. Notable topics include clerical staffing and nursing staffing. The Medi-Cal files contain various reports produced by the bureau. Notable topics include Medi-Cal Reform Plan, payments, and services. The Medi-Cal reform files document proposed changes to the Medi-Cal program. Notable topics include the Lockheed study and regulations. The subject files document topics of concern to the bureau. Notable topics include annual reports, pre-paid health plans, California Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), and Utilization (of services) Survey. The Executive Office records contain legislative (bill) files from 1971 to 1972. Notable topics include Medi-Cal Reform (AB949, 1971) and claims processing (SB1166, 1972).

The third and final subgroup is the Health Review and Program Council, which contains four series. The meeting files document the meetings held by the full council. Notable topics include Medi-Cal Reform, Multicard System, San Joaquin Study, and Lockheed Study. The committee files document the meetings and reports of the various committees of the council. The committee names include: Long Range Planning; Pilot Projects; Planning and Priority; Prepayment; Utilization and Quality Control. Correspondence contains various letters, including those from state and federal agencies, professional and commercial industry representatives, and individuals. Notable topics include prepayment projects and Medi-Cal Reform. The subject files document topics relevant to the council. Notable topics include member biographies and an administrative history.

Audio materials have been separated to a cold-storage vault for preservation purposes and separation sheets are in the files to alert the researcher to the existence of these items.

The researcher should note that, while the dates of record-keeping for this agency are from 1966 to 1973, the approximate dates of creation are from 1960 to 1974.

Biographical / historical:

Chapter 2037 (Statutes 1961) established the Health and Welfare Agency, which was responsible for the oversight of the Departments of Social Welfare, Public Health, and Mental Hygiene. Chapter 1747 (Statutes 1963) added the Department of Rehabilitation, the Citizens Advisory Committee on Aging, and the Office of Atomic Energy Development and Radiation Protection to the Health and Welfare Agency.

In 1965, federal Public Law 89-97 amended the Social Security Act, Title XIX, to require each state to provide medical assistance to eligible persons. In California, Chapter 4 (Statutes 1966, 1965 Second Extraordinary Session) established the California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal). The effective date of Medi-Cal was March 1, 1966. Chapter 4 also established the Health Review and Program Council, a body responsible for continuing studies on health and serving in an advisory capacity to the Governor and to the Director of the Health and Welfare Agency. Council members were appointed by the Governor, while the Director of the Health and Welfare Agency as well as the Directors of the Departments of Public Health, Social Welfare, Mental Hygiene, and Rehabilitation served as ex-officio members.

The Office of Health Care Services was administratively established within the Office of Administrator of the Health and Welfare Agency in 1966 for the purpose of "coordination and supervision of the many and varied state agencies involved in Medi-Cal" (Special Addendum, California State Budget: Poverty Reduction and Prevention Program, and California Medical Assistance Program, For the Fiscal year July 1, 1966 to June 30, 1967, page 37). During this time period, the office had four main divisions: Administration, Program and Planning, Program Evaluation, and Intermediary Contract Administration. Each of these divisions was further divided into anywhere from one to seven bureaus. The Health Review and Program Council operated out of the Director's Office with the divisions and bureaus providing support when necessary (California Blue Book, 1967, p. 365-366).

In 1969, the Office of Health Care Services became the Department of Health Care Services (Chapter 138, Statutes 1969) under the Human Relations Agency (formerly the Health and Welfare Agency) and retained its primary purpose. During this time period, the Health Review and Program Council became its own division (through 1971), while other divisions and their respective bureaus came and went. Divisions introduced after 1969 include: Operations (1970-1972), Office of Planning and Special Studies (1970), Program (1970-1973), Planning (1971), Field Services (1972-1973), Management Information (1972-1973), Contract Administration (1972-1973), Program Surveillance (1972-1973), Administrative Services (1972-1973), California Health Care Commission (1972-1973), and Medical Therapeutics and Drug Advisory Committee (1972-1973).

Governor Ronald Reagan's reorganization plan (Chapter 1593, Statues 1971) created a new Department of Health, consolidating the Departments of Public Health, Health Care Services, and Mental Hygiene. The Health Review and Program Council became the Health Care Commission. This reorganization was completed on July 1, 1973.

The Administration Division was created within the Office of Health Care Services in 1966. It included the Office Services Bureau (1966-1970, 1972-1973), which was responsible for accumulating and organizing the division's correspondence and reports. The Management Analysis Bureau was also within the Administration Division from 1969 to 1972. This bureau's function was to oversee the management of Medi-Cal by the department.

From July 1, 1973 to June 30, 1978, the Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal) was administered by the Department of Health. A lack of administrative effectiveness within the Department of Health led the Legislature to reorganize the Department with the purpose of increasing program visibility, improving policy direction, and providing greater public accountability. Chapter 1252 (Statutes 1977) created the Department of Health Services (DHS), which took over responsibility for Medi-Cal. In 1985, the Medical Assistance Program was re-named Medical Care Services. In 1991, Medical Care Services became an element of the Health Care Services program. In 2006, the Department was re-named Health Care Services (DHCS) (Chapter 241, Statutes 2006).

The researcher should note that information on Medi-Cal (the primary topic within this inventory) remains with the records of each creator. For example, records dated from 1976 would be found under Department of Health, while records dated from 1980 would be found under Department of Health Services (DHS).

Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the Department of Health Care Services Records according to state law.
Accruals:

Because the Department of Health Care Services ceased to exist in 1973, no further accruals are expected. The researcher should be aware, however, that a new Department of Health Care services was established in 2006.

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Kim Mitchell
Date Prepared:
© 2011
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Kim Mitchell. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: August 1, 2011

Access and use

Restrictions:

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Terms of access:

For permission to reproduce or publish, please consult California State Archives staff. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives' collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Department of Health Care Services Records, [ID Number]:[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

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