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​​DHCS Stakeholder News - March 13, 2023

​California's Reproductive Health Access Demonstration: Public Comment and Public Hearings

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has begun a 30-day public comment period for a new Section 1115 demonstration request, entitled California's Reproductive Health Access Demonstration (CalRHAD). The public comment period is from March 16 through April 17. This email provides background information, links to public comment materials, and information about how to provide feedback during the public comment period.

Background

DHCS is seeking federal approval to strengthen the state's reproductive health provider safety net. The demonstration will emphasize ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services and the services and supports to access them by addressing health-related social needs (HRSNs).

Through the CalRHAD request, DHCS is seeking expenditure authority under Section 1115(a)(2) to provide grants to reproductive health providers to enhance capacity and access to sexual and reproductive health services and promote the sustainability of California's reproductive health provider safety net to benefit individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal and other individuals who face barriers to such access.

California is proposing to create a new CalRHAD grant program for providers to enhance capacity and access for sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning. Providers receiving CalRHAD grants would not be permitted to use those funds for abortions. California covers abortions for individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal and others using state funds only, with no federal Medicaid matching funds.

Public Comment Materials

All public comment materials are posted on the DHCS CalRHAD webpage; DHCS will update this page throughout the public comment period and application process. The following materials are posted on the webpage: ​

Opportunities to Comment

Written Comments
Comments will be accepted via U.S. mail or electronic mail.

Written comments may be sent to the following address; please indicate “CalRHAD Section 1115 Application" in the written message:

Department of Health Care Services
Director's Office
Attn: René Mollow and Jacey Cooper
P.O. Box 997413, MS 0000
Sacramento, California 95899-7413

Email comments may be submitted to 1115Waiver@dhcs.ca.gov. Please indicate “CalRHAD Section 1115 Application" in the subject line of the email message.

To ensure consideration prior to our submission of the CalRHAD Section 1115 application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), comments must be received no later than 11:59 PM PT (Pacific Time) on April 17. Please note that comments will continue to be accepted after April 17, but DHCS may be unable to consider those comments prior to the initial submission of the CalRHAD application to CMS.


​Public Hearings
DHCS will virtually host the following public hearings to encourage and solicit stakeholder comments. The meetings will offer online video streaming and telephonic conference capabilities to ensure statewide accessibility.​​​​

Wednesday, March 29 – First Public Hearing

    • 10 – 11 AM PT
    • Register for Zoom conference: https://manatt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nCmc8aMqRfKzcOLZ2zcMKw
      • Please register in advance to receive your unique login details and link to add the hearing to your calendar
    • Call-in information: (312) 626-6799 or (888) 788-0099 (Toll Free)
      • Webinar ID: 934 7718 5979
      • Passcode: 032923
      • Callers do not need an email address to use the phone option and do not need to register in advance

Monday, April 3 – Second Public Hearing

    • ​9 – 10 AM PT
    • Register for Zoom conference: https://manatt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HN7m0tXLTLCyWiL9X8H6IQ
      • Please register in advance to receive your unique login details and link to add the hearing to your calendar
    • Call-in information: (312) 626-6799 or (888) 788-0099 (Toll Free)
      • Webinar ID: 040323
      • Passcode: 040323
      • Callers do not need an email address to use the phone option and do not need to register in advance

For individuals with disabilities, DHCS will provide free assistive devices, including language and sign-language interpretation, real-time captioning, note takers, reading or writing assistance, and conversion of training or meeting materials into braille, large print, audio, or electronic format. To request alternative format or language services, please call or write:

​​​​Department of Health Care Services
Director's Office
P. O. Box 997413, MS 0000, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413
(916) 440-7400

Email: 1115Waiver@dhcs.ca.gov

​

Please note that the range of assistive services available may be limited if requests are received less than ten working days prior to the meeting.


Last modified date: 3/16/2023 10:37 AM