Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which health care services are provided to qualified, low-income persons. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law authorizes a county board of supervisors to establish a commission to negotiate an exclusive contract with the department to provide, or arrange for the provision of, health care services under the Medi-Cal program.

Pursuant to the authority described above, the County of Orange established a commission, known as the Orange County Health Authority or CalOptima, to provide health care services under the Medi-Cal program. Existing law vests governance of the commission in a 10-member governing body and requires that 2 of the governing body’s members be members of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange, with one additional member from the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange serving as an alternate. Existing law requires each member to serve a 4-year term, except as described.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for County of Orange.