(Sacramento, CA) – – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Carmel) to assist California consumers access information and assistance about their health plans and providers passed off the Assembly Floor and on to Governor Brown.
The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as federal health care reform, will expand health care coverage to over 4 million Californians through public program expansions, a temporary high-risk pool, a mandate to purchase coverage, and by requiring guaranteed issue of coverage. AB 922 will streamline the confusing and burdensome number of agencies that currently exist to assist consumers by making the Office of Patient Advocate a one-stop-shop for that assistance, as well as ensure that Californians get clear and understandable consumer information and assistance by strengthening current programs consistent with the federal requirements.
“As it stands now, when Californians need assistance with their health care coverage, there are numerous governmental and non-profit entities that provide assistance, and consumers have no idea who to call,” stated Assemblymember Monning. “AB 922 will help Californians by providing a single source of correct and current information about health care coverage.”
AB 922 also moves the Department of Managed Health Care and the Office of the Patient Advocate from the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to the Health and Human Services Agency. The move is meant to create a clear internal chain of command for the Administration with regard to health care coverage. The Secretary of Health and Human Services should be responsible for overseeing the state’s progress on providing access to expanded health care coverage.
Assemblymember Monning was first elected to represent the 27th Assembly District in 2008 and re-elected in 2010. The 27th Assembly District includes portions of Monterey, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assemblymember Monning was a Professor at the Monterey College of Law and a Professor of International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Contact: Melanie Moreno, (916) 319-2097
