(a) The Legislature finds and declares the following: (1) Many Californians face serious obstacles in obtaining needed health care services, including, but not limited to, medical, mental health, dental, and preventive services. The obstacles faced by vulnerable populations and communities include existence of complex medical, physical, or social conditions, disabilities, economic disadvantage, and living in remote or underserved areas that make it difficult to access services. (2) With the recent passage of national health care reform, there is an increased demand for innovative ways to deliver quality health care, including preventive services, to individuals in a cost-effective manner. (3) There is a need to develop new methods of delivering health services utilizing innovative models that can be demonstrated to be effective and then replicated throughout California and that bring community-based health care preventive services to individuals where they live or receive education, social, or general health services. (4) For more than 30 years, the California Health Facilities Financing Authority has provided financial assistance through tax-exempt bonds, low-interest loans, and grants to health facilities in California, assisting in the expansion of the availability of health services and health care facilities throughout the state. (b) (1) Following the completion of a competitive selection process, the authority may award one or more grants that, in the aggregate, do not exceed one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to one or more projects designed to demonstrate specified new or enhanced cost-effective methods of delivering quality health care services to improve access to quality health care for vulnerable populations or communities, or both, that are effective at enhancing health outcomes and improving access to quality health care and preventive services. These health care services may include, but are not limited to, medical, mental health, or dental services for the diagnosis, care, prevention, and treatment of human illness, or individuals with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities. More than one demonstration project may receive a grant pursuant to this section. It is the intent of the Legislature for a demonstration project that receives a grant to allow patients to receive screenings, diagnosis, or treatment in community settings, including, but not limited to, school-based health centers, adult day care centers, and residential care facilities for the elderly, or for individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities. (2) A grant awarded pursuant to this subdivision may be allocated in increments to a demonstration project over multiple years to ensure the demonstration projectâs ability to complete its work, as determined by the authority. Prior to the initial allocation of funds pursuant to this subdivision, the administrators of the demonstration project shall provide evidence that the demonstration project has or will have additional funds sufficient to ensure completion of the demonstration project. If the authority allocates a grant in increments, each subsequent yearâs allocation shall be provided to the demonstration project only upon submission of research that shows that the project is progressing toward the identification of a high-quality and cost-effective delivery model that improves health outcomes and access to quality health care and preventive services for vulnerable populations or communities, and can be replicated throughout the state in community settings. (3) Except for a health facility that qualifies as a âsmall and rural hospitalâ pursuant to Section 124840 of the Health and Safety Code, a health facility that has received tax-exempt bond financing from the authority shall not be eligible to receive funds awarded for a demonstration project. Such a health facility may participate as an uncompensated partner or member of a collaborative effort
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