June 7, 2019 Edition
This week, the
Budget Conference Committee heard remaining
items that must be reconciled between the
Assembly and Senate budget packages related to Health & Human Services,
State Administration and General Government, and Public Safety, Corrections,
and the Judiciary. Negotiations are now underway among legislative leaders and
the Newsom Administration as all parties involved work to finalize the state
spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.
This morning,
the Budget Conference Committee announced it will next be convening on Sunday
afternoon to close out all conference committee items. Given the constitutional
requirement for all bills to be in print for a minimum of 72 hours prior to
being acted upon, the Legislature is anticipated to take up the full budget
bill for a vote on Thursday next week, two days ahead of the June 15
constitutional deadline. Upon approval by the Legislature, the budget bill will
then head to Governor Gavin Newsom for action.
CHEAC will
provide relevant updates as additional details emerge from ongoing budget
negotiations and budget trailer bills are introduced next week.
This week,
Assembly and Senate policy committees once again began holding hearings on
measures advanced out of their house of origin in compliance with the May 31 deadline. The Legislature has just over one
month before facing additional deadlines for policy committees to hear and
report fiscal bills to fiscal committees (July 10) and non-fiscal bills to the
floor (July 12). The Legislature will then embark on its month-long summer
recess beginning July 12.
The next month
is anticipated to be particularly busy with bill hearings and negotiations on
measures in their opposite house. For the latest updates, the CHEAC Weekly Bill
Chart is available here.
On Wednesday,
the Senate Rules Committee held a confirmation hearing for Mark Ghaly, MD, MPH,
for the position of Secretary of the California Health and Human Services
Agency (CHHS). Dr. Ghaly, in his remarks before the committee, highlighted his
experience as a physician, public health professional, and health systems
leader in San Francisco and Los Angeles and briefly discussed his approach to
implementing the host of programs and services provided by CHHS. Questions from
committee members consisted of topics such as public health emergency
preparedness and response, chronic disease prevention and wellness promotion,
substance use disorder and treatment services, and child protective and social
services.
The Senate
Rules Committee voted unanimously to confirm Dr. Ghaly. His confirmation now
goes before the full Senate for consideration.
On Monday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, its affiliates, and Dr. Richard S. Sackler for “creating a public nuisance, deceptive marketing of prescription opioid drugs, and violations of unfair competition law” with the intent to “hold Purdue and Dr. Richard Sackler accountable for the public health crisis they helped create.” California joins several other states and cities that have taken legal action against Purdue Pharma. Company officials denied the allegations laid out in the suit and vowed to fight against “misleading attacks.” A copy of the complaint from the Office of the Attorney General can be found here.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will be
hosting a full-day workshop on Community Health Assessments (CHA) and Community
Health Improvement Plans (CHIP) on Thursday, June 27, at the CDPH Natomas
Office located in Sacramento. This workshop will focus on tools and resources
that help improve a community’s health and promotes health equity, cover the social
determinants of health, indicator data, and equity strategies that support
community health planning, and discuss strategies for engaging community
partners, creating a shared agenda, and leveraging resources to achieve
community goals.
Workshop space is limited and only two representatives per local health jurisdiction may attend. A flyer with more information including on how to register can be found here.