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8.A-5 Legislative Bill Action ............................................................... The following are summaries of just a few of the legislative bills that are currently being acted upon by the Le~~ of ~~lifornia Citie~. For m~e informat. ~r. about these and other bills, please visit the League webslte s .to acce~s rnfor~atton about le.gr- ~Iétion, policy issues and related develop- me~ts.. You can ~rack information on bills (www.cacltie::i.orgllegtracking),locate legislators and legislatIve ~?mmlttees, send letters to legislators or the media through the online Advocacy Center (.www.cacitles,org/advocacycenter), research League policy positions, access useful related links, and much more. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES In addition, the League believes that S8 494 is premature. If enacted, it would prejudge the S8 494 (Escutia). Medi-cal Liens. Last outcome of the Parnell case (Parnell v. Adventist September, during the waning days of the 2003 Health Systems), which is now before the Su- legislative session, S8 494 became the poster preme Court. The case has been briefed, but oral child for the unfortunate but often-used end-of-the- arguments have not been set. In addition, it could session gut and amend tactic. Strongly opposed set a precedent for Medi-Cal cases which could by the League, the insurance industry and sup- form the basis of subsequent legislation to expand porters of tort reform, the bill failed passage in the the issue to all insured, or give the courts a direc- Assembly Health Committee. Since reconsidera- tion to go in awarding settlements. tion was granted, S8 494 had the potential to be resurrected. Now, it is back and will be heard in Cities should share S8 494 with their city the Assembly Health Committee Tuesday June 8. attorneys and risk managers and IMMEDIATELY send a letter of opposition to members of the Recent amendments to the bill do not remove Assembly Health Committee and to their Assem- the League's opposition, which is focused on bly Members. Staff: Yvonne Hunter; Status: Section 2 of the bill. The League's objections to AsHlth, Hrg. June 8; Position: Oppose. S8 494 remain generally the same as they were when we initially registered our opposition last September. Under existing law and practice, PUBLIC SAFETY many health insurers have contracts with health providers that pay a reduced rate from what health AB 1655 (Negrete McLeod). Emergency providers bill as their "reasonable or full retail rate." The provider is then precluded from bal- Medical Services. Paramedics. A8 1655 ance billing the beneficiary for any difference authorizes the Emergency Medical Services between the contract price and the full retail rate. Authority (EMSA) to impose an administrative fine on licensed paramedics for disciplinary purposes S8 494 would change this practice for Medi- and requires that all funds recovered be deposited Cal patients and permit cost recovery beyond the into the General Fund. In addition, AB 1655 negotiated rate. In doing so, the bill could make a requires employers to report certain disciplinary local government, either through its own self- actions taken against paramedics to EMSA and insurance policy or through an outside insurance the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider, liable for the inflated phantom medical agency medical director. bills. And, it would do so without an opportunity for Currently, suspension of a paramedic's Ii- medical review to determine the appropriateness of those costs. cense is the primary means of discipline for Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 5 --