This post was also written by Alison B. Riddell.
Although California legislators devoted a significant amount of time and resources to addressing the state’s budget shortfall and the economic recession, the 2009 legislature debated and passed a surprising number of bills related to health care, many of which will become effective January 1, 2010. New laws impacting California health care providers include:
- Amendments to the 2008 law requiring certain health care providers to disclose unlawful and unauthorized uses or disclosure of medical information
- Laws requiring the Department of Public Health [www.cdph.ca.gov] to more timely process and approve applications for new or modified hospital outpatient services
- Provisions impacting the delivery of radiologic and diagnostic imaging services, such as permitting physician assistants to provide fluoroscopy services under the supervision of a physician
- Amendments to California’s False Claim Act that expand the types of claims subject to the law, extend the state’s prosecutorial authority, and increase the penalties for violating the statute
- Laws stating that long-term care providers will be subject to new ownership disclosure requirements
- Passing Assembly Bill 215, which makes California one of the first states to recognize and incorporate the controversial Five-Star Quality Rating for nursing facilities as created by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
For the full summary of major legislation impacting California physicians, hospitals, nursing facilities, and other licensed health care facilities, read our client alert.