Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income persons receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid Program provisions. Existing federal law provides for various home- and community-based services waivers that promote coverage and services that enable an individual who would otherwise be institutionalized to live at home or in the community. Under the AIDS Medi-Cal Waiver Program, a home- and community-based services waiver authorized under this federal law, local agencies, under contract with the State Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS, provide home- and community-based services, such as comprehensive case management and direct care services, to persons with HIV or AIDS as an alternative to nursing facility care or hospitalization.

This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to increase funding for the AIDS Medi-Cal Waiver Program.