October 2, 2008

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SB 1147 Signed

This week, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law S.B. 1147 – Medi-Cal for Juveniles.  As a result of this bill, Medi-Cal children being released from public institutions will no longer be faced with re-applying for benefits.  Their benefits will be suspended when they go into custody, so services can be accessed immediately when children are no longer in inmate status.  This will help to assure that young people receive prompt access to needed prescriptions, mental helath services and medical treatment.  It will save their caregivers and health professionals from having to undertake heroic measures to avoid gaps in care.  It will result in more efficient processes for Medi-Cal services and savings to the State in not having to process unnecessary terminations and re-applications.