Section § 9850

Explanation

This law section outlines the creation and goals of the Master Plan for Aging in California. The Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency leads its development alongside the Director of the California Department of Aging. A diverse committee, including representatives from older and disabled communities, local government, and health care, will help shape the plan.

The plan focuses on several core values: ensuring equitable access to long-term services regardless of health, income, or race; prioritizing person-centered care to help people stay in their homes; increasing efficiency by cutting unnecessary costs; encouraging community-based services over institutionalized care; and improving care coordination.

The California Department of Aging is tasked with reporting to the Governor and Legislature on ways to optimize its structure for implementing the plan, with annual updates through 2030.

(a)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(a) The Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, in coordination with the Director of the California Department of Aging, shall lead the development and implementation of the master plan for aging established pursuant to Executive Order N-14-19.
(b)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(b) The Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee established pursuant to Executive Order N-14-19 shall include representation from older Californians, adults with disabilities, local government, health care providers, health plans, employers, community-based organizations, foundations, academic researchers, and organized labor.
(c)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(c) The secretary and the director shall, with the assistance of the Cabinet-level Workgroup for Aging established pursuant to Executive Order N-14-19, work with the following state agencies, as needed, to identify policies, efficiencies, and strategies necessary to implement the master plan:
(1)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(c)(1) Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.
(2)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(c)(2) Government Operations Agency.
(3)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(c)(3) California Health and Human Services Agency.
(4)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(c)(4) Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
(5)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(c)(5) Transportation Agency.
(d)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(d) The workgroup shall solicit input from stakeholders and gather information on the impact of California’s aging population to assist with the implementation process of the master plan.
(e)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(e) The workgroup shall ensure the master plan is centered on all of the following core values:
(1)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(e)(1) Equity. The master plan shall seek to enable older adults and people with disabilities to access long-term services and supports (LTSS) in accordance with individual needs and preferences, to the extent feasible, regardless of individual health or functional status, income, race, religion, or other socioeconomic factors.
(2)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(e)(2) Person-centered. The master plan shall seek to enable older adults and people with disabilities to remain in their own homes and communities as long as possible or desired while receiving services and supports that are in line with their individual needs and preferences.
(3)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(e)(3) Efficiency. The master plan for aging shall seek to reduce unnecessary costs and reduce duplication through streamlined service delivery.
(4)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(e)(4) System rebalancing. The master plan shall prioritize the delivery of home- and community-based services in a home setting as alternatives to institutionalization, in accordance with individual needs, desires, and preferences.
(5)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(e)(5) Coordination and integration. The master plan shall seek to streamline service delivery through coordinated and integrated systems of care.
(6)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(e)(6) Access. The master plan shall ensure access to health care and LTSS in all communities across the state, including rural, suburban, and urban settings.
(f)Copy CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(f)
(1)Copy CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(f)(1) (A) The California Department of Aging shall submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by October 1, 2020, identifying ways to improve the organization and structure of the California Department of Aging in order to effectively implement and administer the master plan. The report shall include, but not be limited to, identification of statutory and regulatory changes that are needed to implement the master plan.
(B)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(f)(1)(B) The California Department of Aging shall submit updates to the Governor and the Legislature annually beginning October 1, 2021, through October 1, 2030, inclusive. The updates shall include, but are not limited to, the status of the processes described in paragraph (1) and updates on data metrics, best practices, and model policies.
(2)CA Welfare and Institutions Code § 9850(f)(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.