(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) Costs within the Medi-Cal program continue to grow due to the rising cost of providing health care throughout the state and also due to increases in enrollment, which are more pronounced during difficult economic times. (2) In order to minimize the need for drastically cutting enrollment standards or benefits during times of economic crisis, it is crucial to find areas within the Medi-Cal program that have reimbursement levels higher than required under the standard provided in Section 1902(a)(30)(A) of the federal Social Security Act and may be reduced in accordance with federal law. (3) The Medi-Cal program delivers its services and benefits to Medi-Cal beneficiaries through a wide variety of health care providers, some of which deliver care via managed care or other contract models while others do so through fee-for-service arrangements. (4) The setting of rates within the Medi-Cal program is complex and subject to close supervision by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. (5) As the single state agency for the Medicaid program in California, the department has unique expertise that can inform decisions that set or adjust reimbursement methodologies and levels consistent with the requirements of federal law. (b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature for the department to analyze and identify where reimbursement levels can be reduced consistent with the standard provided in Section 1902(a)(30)(A) of the federal Social Security Act and consistent with federal and state law and policies, including exemptions contained in the act that added this section, provided that the reductions in reimbursement shall not exceed 10 percent on an aggregate basis for all providers, services, and products. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, the director shall adjust provider payments, as specified in this section. (d) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, payments shall be reduced by 10 percent for Medi-Cal fee-for-service benefits for dates of service on and after June 1, 2011. (2) For managed health care plans that contract with the department pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200), except contracts with Senior Care Action Network and AIDS Healthcare Foundation, payments shall be reduced by the actuarial equivalent amount of the payment reductions specified in this section pursuant to contract amendments or change orders effective on July 1, 2011, or thereafter. (3) Payments shall be reduced by 10 percent for non-Medi-Cal programs described in Article 6 (commencing with Section 124025) of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code, and Section 14105.18, for dates of service on and after June 1, 2011. This paragraph shall not apply to inpatient hospital services provided in a hospital that is paid under contract pursuant to Article 2.6 (commencing with Section 14081). (4) (A) Notwithstanding any other law, the director may adjust the payments specified in paragraphs (1) and (3) with respect to one or more categories of Medi-Cal providers, or for one or more products or services rendered, or any combination thereof, if the resulting reductions to any category of Medi-Cal providers, in the aggregate, total no more than 10 percent. (B) The adjustments authorized in subparagraph (A) shall be implemented only if the director determines that, for each affected product, service, or provider category, the payments resulting from the adjustment comply with subdivision (m). (e) Notwithstanding this section, payments to hospitals that are not under contract with the department pursuant to Article 2.6 (commencing with Section 14081) for inpatient hospital services provided to Medi-Cal beneficiaries and that are subject to former Section 14166.245 shall be governed by that section. (f) Notwithstanding this section, both of the following apply: (1) Payments to providers that are paid pursuant to Ar
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