Section 9530.5.

Consistent with Article 4.05 (commencing with Section 14139.05) of Chapter 7 of Part 3 of Division 9, the Legislature reaffirms the need to restructure the array of categorical programs that offer medical, social, and other support services that are funded and administered by a variety of federal, state, and local agencies. It is in the interest of the state, as a whole, to address the duplication and fragmentation of the long-term care system and the home- and community-based services needs of the elderly and functionally impaired adults. Ideally, individuals needing long-term care should be able to access the health and social services system through a central point of entry, disclose basic demographic information, and be referred to the appropriate sources for assessment, care planning, and purchase of services. As a step towards this ideal, the department should develop, by January, 1998, a plan to expand its state-funded programs statewide, subject to the redirection of funds.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1097, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 1997.)