Part 7.2HEALTH FACILITIES FINANCING AUTHORITY ACT
Section § 15430
This section simply provides the official name for the law concerning the financing of health facilities, which is the California Health Facilities Financing Authority Act.
Section § 15431
This section explains that the California Health Facilities Authority, which is part of the state government, is now called the California Health Facilities Financing Authority. The authority is a public body that performs essential public functions through its granted powers.
Section § 15432
This section defines key terms related to the California Health Facilities Financing Authority Act. It clarifies words like "Act," which refers to the specific Act itself, and "Authority," which denotes the body or entities managing the Act's functions.
"Cost" covers all expenses associated with financing health facility projects, including construction, equipment, and services. "Health facility" is broadly defined to include various licensed and certified places ranging from hospitals to community care centers. Some exclusions apply, like places primarily for religious worship.
"Participating health institution" encompasses entities authorized to provide or operate health facilities, including some linked to the University of California for a specific bond series. "Project" relates to all financial activities supporting health facilities, such as construction and renovation, while "revenue bond" covers financial instruments used by the Authority.
Finally, "working capital" refers to funds used for the operation and maintenance of health facilities, including reserves for expenses.
Section § 15433
This law establishes a nine-member authority that includes the State Treasurer, State Controller, and Director of Finance. Additional members include two appointed by the Senate Rules Committee, two by the Speaker of the Assembly, and two by the Governor. Each group has specific member requirements, such as having a physician, investment expert, and representatives from the public. Appointed members serve four-year terms ending March 31 and can be reappointed. Vacancies are filled only for the remaining term length. Members aren’t paid but can be reimbursed for expenses. The Director of Finance can appoint a deputy to attend meetings on their behalf.
Section § 15434
The authority selects an executive director, who isn't part of the authority, to manage operations. This director works as long as the authority allows and receives a salary set by the authority.
Section § 15435
This law requires the executive director or a person appointed by the authority to maintain thorough records of the authority's activities and safeguard important documents. They're responsible for all recordings, documents, and the official seal. They can make copies of these records and issue certificates confirming their authenticity, which others can trust as accurate.
Section § 15436
This section explains the rules for decision-making and meetings within a specific authority. A quorum, which is at least five members present, must be present for the authority to make decisions. A majority of those present must agree for any decisions to be made. Even if there is a vacant position, the quorum can still function with full authority. Meetings must be public and follow the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act rules. The authority can assign specific tasks and powers to its members or executive director, including making contracts.
Section § 15437
This law section gives a governing authority the power to manage certain tasks and responsibilities. It requires the authority to evaluate financial eligibility by looking at a project's ability to pay back loans, its income potential, and any funds pledged to secure the loans.
Section § 15438
This law gives a specific authority a variety of powers and responsibilities. These include setting its internal rules, using an official seal, and the ability to sue or be sued. It can accept gifts, grants, or donations from various sources to fulfill its objectives. The authority can hire consultants for professional help, decide on and manage projects, and handle real estate transactions related to health facilities.
Additionally, the authority can give loans to health institutions for projects or refinance existing debts. It can also mortgage its interests, lease projects to health institutions, and charge administrative costs. The law allows the authority to receive insurance or guarantees for loans and contracts and to invest funds wisely.
It can provide significant loans to support the California Health Benefit Exchange establishment and manage various grant programs for clinics and health facilities. The law also mandates the repayment terms for any loans made to the Exchange.
Section § 15438.10
This law addresses the challenges Californians face in accessing health care and outlines a financial grant program to encourage innovative health care delivery methods. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority can award up to $1.5 million in grants to projects that provide quality, cost-effective health care to underserved communities, including services like medical, mental health, and dental care. The goal is to improve access and enhance health outcomes through new models that could be replicated statewide. If a project shows successful outcomes, additional grants of up to $5 million may be given to extend the model in other areas. The law establishes a special account to fund these grants and requires periodic reporting to the Legislature and Governor on the program's progress and outcomes. Additionally, grant recipients must comply with existing legal requirements related to practice standards and regulations.
Section § 15438.2
If capital outlay funds are given for a child day care facility that's on leased property, the lease must last at least as long as the loan itself. Additionally, these child day care centers should be able to get insurance under the California Health Facility Construction Loan Insurance Law.
Section § 15438.5
This law aims to provide financing to health institutions that can prove their projects are financially feasible and beneficial to the public. It intends that savings from tax-exempt revenue bond financing reduce costs or slow down hospital rate increases for consumers. The law does not aim to promote unnecessary hospital construction or involve the government in hospital operations unless there's a default on payments.
Authorities must assess financial feasibility by considering better interest rates from revenue bonds. If a health institution doesn't meet bond rating guidelines, authorities may still consider financing if the institution demonstrates financial feasibility and significant community service.
Community service can include maintaining an emergency medical service, having a policy to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay, providing care to Medi-Cal and uninsured patients, or budgeting for the unmet needs of the community. Enforcement of these conditions is outlined under another section.
Section § 15438.6
This law section, called the Cedillo-Alarcon Community Clinic Investment Act of 2000, aims to improve the infrastructure of primary care clinics in California. The government's goal is to support these clinics, which serve uninsured and vulnerable populations, by providing necessary funding for capital improvements.
The law allows for grants to be awarded to eligible clinics to finance building projects. These funds are intended to help clinics expand, manage costs, and improve access to healthcare. Factors considered for awarding grants include the amount of free care provided, geographic location, financial needs, and readiness of the projects.
The highest grant amount available is $250,000, and projects must be completed in a timely fashion. Clinics awarded grants must use the funds as intended for the duration of the project. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority handles the grants and is reimbursed for administration costs.
Section § 15438.7
This law highlights the need for financial support for small health care facilities in California to maintain quality services. It recognizes these facilities often lack the ability to secure loans or access capital, which affects their services, especially to vulnerable populations. To address this, a grant program has been established to finance necessary projects.
The authority in charge will develop criteria for awarding grants, considering factors like financial need, potential for attracting more funding, and service importance. Grants can't exceed project costs, and facilities must meet specific conditions to receive funds. Projects must be completed promptly, and unfulfilled terms could lead to fund recovery.
Funding will be drawn from the California Health Facilities Authority Fund and availability will depend on fund capacity. The authority will decide the annual budget for these grants.
Section § 15439
This law creates a fund called the California Health Facilities Financing Authority Fund. It's a special pot of money used by the authority to finance health facilities projects. The authority can use this money as collateral to ensure repayment of bonds they issue or loans they make. The money in this fund is protected and must be used for paying off bonds and cannot be used for any other purposes until the bonds are paid off. The authority can create separate accounts to manage these funds and can invest any extra money they don't need right away. Any interest earned from these investments goes back into the fund.
Section § 15440
This law states that any expenses the authority has from doing its job can only be paid for with the funds that have been allocated for that purpose. Basically, the authority can’t spend more money than it has been given.
Section § 15441
This law allows the authority to issue revenue bonds to fund its activities. These bonds can be paid from revenues or money that the authority has, unless specifically pledged elsewhere. The bonds are considered negotiable instruments, meaning they can be sold or transferred like a check or stock certificate, even if they are paid from a special fund.
The bonds can be issued in different forms, such as serial or term bonds, and can have various terms regarding interest rates, maturity dates, and redemption conditions. A resolution authorizes bond issuance, and they sell at public or private sales potentially below par value but with limited discounts. Interim certificates may be used until permanent bonds are ready.
Resolutions can include terms pledging revenue from projects or contracts as security for the bonds. Members of the authority are not personally liable for the bonds. The authority can repurchase, hold, or resell its bonds, guided by agreements with bondholders.
Section § 15442
This section allows the authority to use a trust agreement or similar arrangement to secure revenue bonds, which are financial investments issued by the authority. A corporate trustee, like a bank or the Treasurer, may help manage this process. The revenues from a participating health institution can be pledged to these bonds. The agreement can include terms to protect the rights of those who own the bonds and anybody providing financial support for these bonds. It can also limit actions that bondholders can individually take and include additional terms the authority finds reasonable for bond security.
Section § 15442.1
This law says that if an authority decides to include specific terms in a trust agreement, indenture, or resolution, those same terms can also be included in a bond, and they will have the same legal effect.
Section § 15443
This law states that revenue bonds issued under this part are not considered a debt or liability of California or any of its subdivisions. These bonds are paid only from specific funds provided, not by the state's general funds, and they explicitly state that no taxes or credit backing from the state or its subdivisions are pledged for their repayment. Essentially, it means the state is not financially responsible for these bonds beyond the identified revenue sources.
Section § 15444
This section allows holders of revenue bonds or related coupons, and trustees involved with these bonds, to take legal action to protect their rights. They can do this through lawsuits or other legal proceedings to ensure that all duties related to the bonds are performed by the issuing authority or its representatives. However, their rights might be limited by specific bond resolutions or agreements.
Section § 15445
This law states that any money received from selling revenue bonds or as revenue itself must be treated as trust funds. These funds are to be used only as specified by the law. Before using them, the funds can be invested in certain approved securities or obligations. The officer, bank, or trust company holding these funds acts as a trustee and must follow specific regulations and resolutions related to the bonds.
Section § 15446
This law explains how a particular authority can issue new bonds to replace or pay off existing bonds that were originally meant to help a health institution fund their projects. It's like refinancing, where the authority can buy back old bonds early or retire them when they are due, using money from new bonds. The funds from selling new bonds can be put aside and invested until they're needed to pay off the old bonds at the best time.
The law also outlines that any profits made from investing these funds can be used by the authority or the health institution once the old bonds are fully paid off. Finally, any new bonds issued under this process must follow the same rules as other bonds issued by the authority.
Section § 15447
This law states that bonds issued by a certain authority are considered valid legal investments for entities like banks, insurance companies, and fiduciaries. These bonds can be freely used in any situation where current or future laws allow bonds or state obligations to be invested in or deposited with state or municipal authorities.
Section § 15448
The bonds issued as described in this section, along with their transfer and the income they generate, are exempt from all types of taxes imposed by the state or any local government entities within the state.
Section § 15449
This section assures those who hold bonds issued for financing health care facilities or those who enter contracts regarding them, that California won't change or limit the rights granted to the issuing authority. This guarantee ensures that the state will not interfere with the rights of bondholders or contract partners until all financial obligations are fully met. The authority can include this promise in their bonds and contracts.
Section § 15450
This law states that when the authority pledges or accepts a pledge of revenues, money, accounts, and similar financial rights, it's immediately effective and binding. There doesn't need to be any physical delivery or additional action for the pledge to take effect. This means all parties are bound by this pledge even if they aren't aware of it. Also, there's no requirement to record the document that created this pledge.
Section § 15451
This law section details how the authority manages finances for projects it owns. It sets rules for collecting rents from participating health institutions, ensuring that these payments cover project bonds, maintain reserves, and pay administrative costs. Agreements with health institutions must ensure rents are always sufficient to cover these expenses. The authority can pledge revenue from these projects to issue more bonds on equal terms.
Section § 15451.5
Section § 15452
Once bonds issued by the authority to fund a project or health institution debt are completely paid off, or arrangements are made to do so, the authority must take actions to release its claims on the financed projects or any pledged securities. This includes executing necessary documents like releases and deeds to transfer rights back to the health institutions involved.
Section § 15455
This section explains that a certain legal part provides a separate and additional way to handle certain tasks, particularly the issuing of bonds. These bonds do not have to follow other laws related to bond issuance, like those in the Public Resources Code.
However, apart from this exception, any project being financed under this law must still meet all other legal requirements. For example, before bonds can be approved for a project, it must show compliance with environmental regulations, unless those do not apply.
Section § 15456
This law states that if there's a conflict between the rules in this part and those in other laws or special acts, the rules in this part will take priority.
Section § 15457
This law states that if the authority makes more money than needed to pay off any debts and fulfill its goals, any extra profit can only benefit the State of California or the authority itself.
Section § 15458
This law explains what happens to property owned by an authority when it is dissolved. If a new authority is created by the Legislature, and it meets specific tax qualifications, this new authority will take ownership of the property. If no such authority is established, the property will become the property of the State of California.
Section § 15459
This law section explains that when revenue bonds are issued to finance health facility projects, the health institution involved must assure that its services will be accessible to everyone in the local community. Revenue bonds are financial obligations paid back with funds other than certain local taxes. The law also defines 'local agency' and 'revenue bond' to clarify its application.
Section § 15459.1
This section outlines the obligations of health institutions participating under Section 15459 related to community service. They must inform patients about their eligibility for government health benefits like Medi-Cal and Medicare. They are required to provide a list of staff physicians, detailing their specialties, languages, and whether they accept Medi-Cal and Medicare.
Health institutions must regularly notify their practitioners about the facility's community service commitments, stating they must accept Medi-Cal and Medicare patients. Notice must be posted prominently in several languages if needed, outlining the facility's non-discrimination policy against government-aided patients and steps to take if services are denied.
These health institutions must also make copies of such notices available for all county welfare offices. Adjustments to these obligations may be made if Medi-Cal contracts aren't applicable or attainable.
Section § 15459.2
A health institution in California can still qualify for financing with revenue bonds even if it doesn't currently meet certain requirements. However, it must present a satisfactory plan to the authority outlining the steps and timeline it will follow to comply with those requirements.
Section § 15459.3
This law requires health institutions in California to provide an annual report to the overseeing authority and the public, proving they meet certain requirements. The report should contain detailed data about inpatient and outpatient services, including the number of patients served under Medi-Cal, Medicare, and without financial sponsors, as well as the financial value of services provided to these groups.
Additionally, the report should mention any actions taken according to another specific section and their impact on the patient data. It should also include any other necessary information that may be requested.
Section § 15459.4
This law outlines the consequences for participating health institutions if they fail to meet their obligations under previous agreements with the authority. If a health institution doesn't comply, they might lose eligibility for certain federal and state funding. They may also need to create and follow a plan to correct the issue. If this doesn't happen, the problem could be referred to California's Attorney General for legal action, though this won't affect any ongoing projects funded by revenue bonds.
Section § 15460
This law requires the State Department of Health Services to consider and incorporate any interest savings when determining how much facilities are reimbursed for services provided under the Medi-Cal program. This should be done in a way that's consistent with federal laws.
Section § 15462
This law allows any city, county, or local hospital district in California to issue bonds or borrow money from a specific state authority to finance projects or working capital. This can include things like building hospitals or other infrastructure projects. They can do this by setting terms like interest rates, repayment dates, and security measures according to their agreements with the authority. These financing activities can bypass other legal requirements that usually apply to city or county borrowing.
Section § 15462.5
This law allows cities, counties, or hospital districts in California to buy or lease health facilities from a government authority for financing projects, such as through revenue bonds, without having to follow other laws that usually apply to such transactions. They can also sell or lease these facilities back to the authority with specific terms agreed upon by both parties. Additionally, they can make arrangements for financial support or guarantees as they see fit.
Section § 15463
This section allows the state to issue up to $2 billion in bonds to fund the No Place Like Home Program, which finances permanent supportive housing for those in need. These bonds can be taxable or tax-exempt and may cover various costs like interest, credit enhancement, or administrative expenses. The authority can also refinance these bonds or provide loans for housing development or bond refunds. Special provisions enable these actions to proceed without adhering to some typical legal requirements, like the California Environmental Quality Act, though housing projects themselves must still comply with applicable laws.