Bill Text: CA AB414 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Bill 414 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Office of Rural Health.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-02-01 - Died at Desk. [AB414 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB414-Introduced.html

BILL NUMBER: AB 414	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ch�vez

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2015

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


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 414, as introduced, Ch�vez. Office of Rural Health.
   Existing law requires the Secretary of the California Health and
Human Services 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 this
provision.
   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  California  Health and
 Welfare   Human Services  Agency shall
establish an Office of Rural Health, or an alternative organizational
structure, in one of the departments of the  California 
Health and  Welfare   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.