Medical interpretation services.

Existing law provides for the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law, until July 1, 2020, among other things, requires the department to work with stakeholders to conduct a study to identify current requirements for medical interpretation services and make recommendations on strategies that may be employed regarding the provision of medical interpretation services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are limited English proficient (LEP) . Existing law requires that the department work with stakeholders to establish a pilot project based on the recommendations of the study, as specified. This bill would instead require the department to establish a pilot project concurrent with the study, as specified. The bill would, among other things, require that the pilot project be designed to evaluate certain factors, including whether disparities in care are reduced, with respect to LEP Medi-Cal beneficiaries compared with Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are proficient in English. The bill would require the department to expend up to $5,000,000 for the pilot project pursuant to an appropriation made in the Budget Act of 2019. The bill would extend the operation of these provisions to July 1, 2024.