Bill Text: CA AB2533 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Office of Rural Health.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-27 - Read first time. [AB2533 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB2533-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 2533	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Morrell

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2012

   An act to amend Section 1179.1 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to public health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2533, as introduced, Morrell. Office of Rural Health.
   Existing law requires the Secretary of the Health and Welfare
Agency to establish an Office of Rural Health, or an alternative
organizational structure, to serve as a key information and referral
source to promote coordinated planning for the delivery of health
services in rural California.
   This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these
provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 1179.1 of the Health and Safety Code is amended
to read:
   1179.1.  (a) The Secretary of  the Health and Welfare
Agency   California Health and Human Services 
shall establish an Office of Rural Health, or an alternative
organizational structure, in one of the departments of the 
Health and Welfare   California Health and Human
Services  Agency to promote a strong working relationship
between state government and local and federal agencies,
universities, private and public interest groups, rural consumers,
health care providers, foundations, and other offices of rural
health, as well as to develop health initiatives and maximize the use
of existing resources without duplicating existing effort. The
office or alternative organizational structure shall serve as a key
information and referral source to promote coordinated planning for
the delivery of health services in rural California.
   (b) To the extent funds are appropriated by the Legislature, these
efforts may include:
   (1) Educating the public and recommending appropriate public
policies regarding the viability of rural health care in California.
   (2) Monitoring and working with state and federal agencies to
assess the impact of proposed rules and regulations on rural areas.
   (3) Promoting community involvement and community support in
maintaining, rebuilding, and diversifying local health services in
rural areas.
   (4) Encouraging and evaluating the use of advanced communications
technology to provide access to health promotion and disease
prevention information, specialty expertise, clinical consultation,
and continuing education for health professionals.
   (5) Encouraging the development of regional health care and public
health networks and collaborative efforts, including, but not
limited to, emergency transportation networks.
   (6) Working with state and local agencies, universities, and
private and public interest groups to promote research on rural
health issues.
   (7) Soliciting the assistance of other offices or programs of
rural health in California to carry out the duties of this part.
   (8) Disseminating information and providing technical assistance
to communities, health care providers, and consumers of health care
services.
   (9) Promoting strategies to improve health care professional
recruitment and retention in rural areas.
   (10) Encouraging innovative responses by public and private
entities to address rural health issues.