(a) Because of the unique circumstances that exist in the County of Alameda, it is necessary that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Alameda be given authority to create a health authority separate and apart from the County of Alameda as a means of establishing the local initiative component of the state-mandated two-plan managed care model for the delivery of medical care and services to the Medi-Cal populations. It is further necessary to enable the board of supervisors to expand publicly assisted medical and health care delivery by the newly created health authority to other populations should the board of supervisors elect to do so. Thus, the adoption of a special act is required. (b) The Board of Supervisors of the County of Alameda may, by ordinance, establish a health authority separate and apart from the County of Alameda, whose governing board shall reflect the diversity of local stakeholders such as provider groups, beneficiary groups, and officials of government, and that is appointed by the board of supervisors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the governing board may include, but need not be limited to, the following: a member of the board of supervisors, individuals that represent and further the interests of the perspectives of Medi-Cal beneficiaries, and individuals that represent and further the interests of the perspectives of Medi-Cal provider physicians and other health practitioners, hospitals, and nonprofit community health centers. Other perspectives may be represented at the discretion of the board of supervisors. The enabling ordinance shall more specifically set forth the membership of the health authority governing board, the qualifications for individual members, the manner of appointment, selection, or removal of governing board members, their terms of office, and all other matters that the board of supervisors deems necessary or convenient for the conduct of the health authorityâs activities. (c) The governing board of the health authority and the appropriate state departments, to the extent permitted by federal law, may negotiate and enter into contracts to provide or arrange for health care services for any or all persons who are eligible to receive benefits under the Medi-Cal program and for other targeted populations. The contracts may be on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis, and shall include payment provisions on any basis negotiated between the state and health authority. Prior to the commencement of operations, the health authority shall be licensed as a health care service plan pursuant to the Knox-Keene Health Care Services Plan Act of 1975 (Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code). (d) The board of supervisors may transfer responsibility for administration of county-provided health care services to the health authority for the purpose of service of populations including uninsured and indigent persons subject to the provisions of any ordinances or resolutions passed by the board of supervisors. The transfer of administrative responsibility for those health care services shall not relieve the county of its responsibility for indigent care pursuant to Section 17000. In addition, the services and programs of the health authority may include, but are not limited to, individuals covered under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, contained in Subchapter XVIII (commencing with Section 1395) of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code, and individuals and groups employed by public agencies and private businesses. (e) As a legal entity separate and apart from the County of Alameda, the health authority shall file the statement required by Section 53051 of the Government Code. The health authority shall have the power to acquire, possess, and dispose of real or personal property as may be necessary for the performance of its functions, to sue or be sued, to employ personnel and contract for services required to
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