FROM THE FOUNDATION

The Stimulus Funding and the Safety Net

The recently enacted federal stimulus package includes funds to bolster and improve community health centers, which are being squeezed between the budget crisis and the recession.

Lessons in Managing Medicaid Dental

A number of states have changed the administration of their Medicaid dental programs to improve access and use of services. Could they serve as a model for California, which recently eliminated its adult dental program?

Studies in Patient Self-Management

A study of 150,000 patients from 174 medical groups across California measured the ability of providers to help patients manage their chronic conditions and correlates the data with process and outcome measures.

Health Care Costs

Friday, August 22, 2008

Kids Affected by Violence Could Get Mental Health Care Under California Bill

A bill (AB 2809) before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) would provide up to $5,000 in mental health services to children who witness violent crimes, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Funding for the services would come from the Victim Compensation Program, which collects money through traffic offenses, restitution fines and other penalties imposed on people convicted of crimes.

Last year, the fund collected $145 million in revenue but paid out $75 million in medical and mental health care and funeral expenses.

A legislative analysis estimates that about 40 children would apply for funds through the program annually, but Assembly member Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), who carried the bill, said far more children would qualify for benefits under the bill (Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 8/22).



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