707.255.

0966
fax 707.255.3110



709 Franklin Street
Napa, California 94559
www.familyservicenapa.org

July 28, 2014

The Honorable Lois Wolk
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 5114
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Senator Wolk:

On behalf of Family Service of Napa Valley, I am writing to express our opposition to AB 503. We
have serious concerns about the impact the bill will have on existing partnerships between hospitals
and community benefit organizations like ours. The practical result is that costs to the state will
increase significantly as will costs to hospitals, which will have to comply with conflicting federal
and state reporting requirements. As a result, community benefit programs throughout California will
face cutbacks, impacting diverse and vulnerable populations.

As you know, Californias community benefit law has been in place and working since 1994. Under
existing law, hospitals work collaboratively with communities and stakeholders to assess local health
needs and tailor program to address each communitys specific needs.

AB 503s provisions put California in direct conflict with federal guidelines of the Affordable Care
Act (ACA). Californias current law was the model for the ACAs community benefit and charity
care guidelines, with state and federal laws now in close alignment. AB 503 prescribes a new and
different set of reporting requirements. Hospitals may have to cut community benefit programs to
adhere to the new requirements. At a time when millions of Californians for the first time have health
insurance, these unnecessary legislative mandates could prevent them from getting the care they need.
Low and no-cost programs are threatened.

We believe the partnerships between hospitals and community benefit organizations like ours are
critical in addressing local health care needs. Family Service of Napa Valley provides a variety of
mental health services in Napa County. We participate in a successful, collaborative project with the
Care Network at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa. The program is a good example of
why we oppose AB 503, which does nothing to strengthen successful community benefit partnerships
like ours and could put the vulnerable populations we serve risk.

AB 503 resurrects proposals that were combined during the various versions of 2013s AB 975. AB
975 was given full and thoughtful consideration before failing with only 28 yes votes and 38 no votes
in the Assembly. Just like AB 975, AB 503 is a proposed solution for which no problem exists.

We respectfully urge your opposition to AB 503 to preserve vitally-needed community benefit
services provided by local organizations in collaboration with local hospitals.




Sincerely,




Rob Weiss, LCSW
Executive Director-Family Service of Napa Valley