Primary care clinics must get state approval before they can bill for treating Medi-Cal patients.
Clinics typically get approved within a month, but not always.
San Diego Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez said Assembly Bill 2051 would require the state to act with 30 days. She explained sometimes the California Department of Public Health really drags its feet.
“We had a situation, in fact, in the South Bay, the Chula Vista Medical Plaza, which is an affiliate of the San Ysidro Health Center, they had to wait more than 180 days to get clearance to take Medi-Cal patients," Gonzalez said.
Supporters say with nearly 2 million newly enrolled Medi-Cal patients, it’s crucial to get enough clinics on line to treat them.
Gonzalez's bill has been sent to Gov. Jerry Brown. He has until Sept. 30 to take action on the measure or allow it to become law without his signature.
