HomeMy WebLinkAbout55B - RESO - COMMUNI-CALREQUEST FOR
COUNCIL ACTION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
APRIL 15, 2014
TITLE:
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION
URGING THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN
ASSEMBLY BILL 2325, WHICH CREATES
"COMMUNI- CAL " - A RELIABLE LANGUAGE
INTERPRETATION SERVICE FOR LIMITED
ENGLISH MEDI -CAL BENEFICIARIES
CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
APPROVED
❑ As Recommended
❑ As Amended
❑ Ordinance on 1"Reading
❑ Ordinance on 2ntlReading
❑ Implementing Resolution
❑ Set Public Hearing For
CONTINUED TO
FILE NUMBER
Consider adoption of proposed Resolution urging the Governor of the State of California to sign
Assembly Bill 2325, which creates "Communi -Cal'- a program that provides reliable access to
language interpretation for Medi -Cal beneficiaries who are limited English proficient.
DISCUSSION
California is one of the most racially and linguistically diverse states with one in five of residents
being considered limited English proficient (LEP). Language interpretation services for
government services are required by both State and Federal law, however they are currently
uncoordinated. Translation services for Medi -Cal are currentiv and will continue to be important
as healthcare availability improves through the affordable care act
Assembly Bill 2325 meets these needs by increasing reliable access to language translation for
Medi -Cal beneficiaries. AB2325 will improve healthcare outcomes for LEP Californians and
result in greater access to health care. Additionally, professional medical interpretation services
help reduce avoidable medical errors and provide malpractice liability for physicians and other
healthcare providers.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the proposed Resolution.
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SRC 03/26/2014
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
URGING THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO SIGN
ASSEMBLY BILL 2325, WHICH CREATES "COMMUNI -CAL" - A PROGRAM
THAT PROVIDES RELIABLE ACCESS TO LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION
FOR MEDI -CAL BENEFICIARIES WHO ARE LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, California has been long recognized as one of the most racially and
linguistically diverse states with residents who speak over 200 languages; and approximately
one in five Californians is limited English proficient (LEP) and identifies as speaking English
less than well; and language access and the right to interpretation services is required under
Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Dymally - Alatorre Bilingual Services Act of
1973 (Chapter 17.5 (commencing with Section 7290) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government
Code), the Knox -Keene Healthcare Services Plan Act of 1975 (Chapter 2.2 (commencing with
Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code), Section 11135 of the Government
Code, Section 1259 of the Health and Safety Code, and California Civil Rights law; and
WHEREAS, The demand for medical interpretation services by Medi -Cal beneficiaries is
significant, with 45.2 percent of Medi -Cal beneficiaries speaking a language other than
English; and the state will experience an even greater demand for language services as health
care reform measures are implemented over the next few years and 35 percent of Californians
expected to become newly eligible for Medi -Cal as a result of the federal Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111 -148) will speak English less than well; and
WHEREAS, In California, language assistance services are currently provided in an
uncoordinated manner that lacks transparency and accountability, and a majority of services
are currently provided ad hoc by family members and friends or untrained staff; and California
has the opportunity to meet the growing demand early on by accessing millions of dollars in
federal matching funds to provide medical interpretation services to LEP Medi -Cal
beneficiaries; and professional medical interpretation services help reduce avoidable medical
errors and provider malpractice liability for physicians and other healthcare providers; and a
coordinated program to offer medical interpreter services will improve health care outcomes for
LEP Californians and help control healthcare costs that result from a lack of access to
preventative and primary care,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of Santa Ana supports and encourages the
Governor of the State of California to sign Assembly Bill 2325 and hereby directs the Clerk of
the Council to send a copy of this resolution to Governor Jerry Brown, Senate President pro
Tempore Darrell Steinberg, and Speaker of the Assembly John A. Perez.
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SECTION 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City
Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this
Resolution.
ADOPTED this 151h day of April, 2014.
Miguel A. Pulido
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia A. Carvalho, City Attorney
AYES:
Councilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers:
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers:
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2014- to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of
Santa Ana on
Date:
Resolution No. 2014 -
Page 2 of 2
Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana
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