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� 1 / / � � Legislative Bill Action ............................................................... The following are summaries of just a few of the legislative bills that are currently being acted upon by the League of California Cities. For more information about these and other bills, please visit the League website's to access information about legislation, policy issues and related develop- ments. You can track information on bills (www.cacities.org/legtracking), locate legislators and legislative committees, send letters to legislators or the media through the online Advocacy Center (www.cacities.org/advocacycenter), research League policy positions, access useful related links, and much more. ADMINISTRATIVE Cities should send letters of opposition to members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee and SB 494 (Escutia). Medi-Cal Liens. SB 494 their own Assembly Members. Staff: Yvonne passed the Assembly Health Committee this week Hunter; Bill Status: Pending in Assembly Judiciary; and will be heard next in the Assembly Judiciary League Position: Oppose Committee. The League remains strongly opposed to this bill that will result in higher insurance costs AB 2782 (Benoit). Public Agencies. Joint and higher lawsuit awards. Powers Agencies. Meetings. The League of California Cities asks that you send letters in Under existing law and practice, many health support of AB 2782 (Benoit) to your senator today! insurers have contracts with health providers that The bill recently passed out of the Senate Local pay a reduced rate from what health providers bill Government Committee and is headed to the as their "reasonable or full retail rate." The pro- Senate Floor. vider is then precluded from balance billing the beneficiary for any difference between the contract AB 2782 would provide that a joint powers price and the full retail rate. agency may authorize that any member of the legislative body of the joint powers agency, who is SB 494 would change this practice for Medi-Cal also a member of the legislative body of one of the patients and permit cost recovery beyond the local agencies comprising the joint powers agency, negotiated rate. In doing so, the bill could make a to disclose information obtained in a closed session local government, either through its own self- of the joint powers agency to other members of the insurance policy or through an outside insurance legislative body of the local agency in a closed provider, liable for the inflated phantom medical session of that body. bills. And, it would do so without an opportunity for medical review to determine the appropriateness of When forming Joint Powers Agencies (JPAs), those costs. cities commonly provide that a board, appointed by the creating cities, governs the agency. However, In addition, the League believes that SB 494 is this method of providing supervision and oversight premature. If enacted, it would prejudge the out- over the JPA is frustrated by Attorney General come of the Parnell case (Parnell v. Adventist Health rulings that prevent JPA board members from Systems), which is now before the Supreme Court. sharing confidential JPA information with their city The case has been briefed, but oral arguments council members. The result is that cities are have not even been set. In addition, it could set a impeded in their obligation to adequately supervise precedent for Medi-Cal cases which could form the and direct the joint powers agencies they have basis of subsequent legislation to expand the issue created. AB 2782 will ensure that elected o�cials to all insured, or give the courts a direction to go in are permitted access to information necessary to awarding settlements. be kept ful�y informed on decisions they will be called upon to decide. Visit the League's fficial Web Site--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 7