and 2022 Los Angeles Reform Health Policy ConferenceCalifornia Department of Health Services (DHCS) Director Michelle Bass gave a morning keynote on Medi-Cal’s latest and most noteworthy developments.
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In particular, Baass Implementation of CalAIM Also addressed stakeholder concerns about Medi-Cal workforce development initiatives and Medi-Cal care delivery and payment.
Baass emphasized the importance of DHCS getting regular feedback from the various entities involved in CalAIM.
“Before CalAIM was launched, the department traveled across the state listening intently to the problems and challenges facing both partners and members. That’s how CalAIM was developed.” she said. “This fall, [we’re] We are also working on a plan to launch a listening tour to hear how it is working in the field and to convene county departments, providers and entities that are truly integral to the launch and implementation of CalAIM.
Through those experiences we can refine and repeat [and] Rethink what you launch and how you implement it in the years to come. It will be many years before CalAIM becomes a reality. It doesn’t all happen overnight. Feedback should be accepted. [and] accept learning. “
During the Q&A portion of Baass’ keynote, one of the audience raised concerns that private practitioners are a historically underinvested cohort of Medi-Cal providers.the bus said Equity and Practice Transformation Grants Budgets included in the 2022-2023 state budget will direct state resources to small-scale practices to address these concerns and infrastructure needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baass said the state is working to develop the entire Medi-Cal program workforce and better serve its members.
“We are also thinking about some of the new workforce that we will introduce into our Medi-Cal delivery system, community health workers, doulas and even peer support specialists. We also think about how we can leverage all Medi-Cal members to reach their full potential,” she said.
Baass also emphasized the role of community health workers in discussions about health equity, the ill effects of climate change, and more, as California continues its efforts to transform the state’s healthcare system.
“I think about trauma in general. That’s one of the things that we’re taking in terms of prevention and upstream efforts. I’m thinking about the benefits of community health workers. Community and family experiences and their potential impact [experience].
our overall goal [is] Going upstream and actually adopting a population health management approach [seeing the data that we have and how we design interventions that meet communities where they need to be]”
Another audience member raised concerns about Medi-Cal payments to providers.
“Medi-Cal is a very complex lending system,” Baass replied. “I think one of the ways we think about this is paying for financial incentives rather than paying for flexibility opportunities. You can have a little more flexibility. [increasing rates]There are other ways our providers have the resources they need to provide care. “
