California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that enhances Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, while also protecting access to Complex Rehab Technology (CRT).
Signed by Newsom on July 27, AB-133 permanently exempts CRT from a 10-percent Medi-Cal funding cut and strengthens policies involving the evaluation and delivery of CRT, according to a news announcement from NCART.
In the announcement, NCART noted that California is the eighth state to pass CRT-focused legislation.
Don Clayback, NCART’s Executive Director, said of the new legislation, “We are extremely thankful to the California Legislature for passing this important CRT provision. Their action will help children and adults with disabilities receive the individually configured CRT and supporting services they depend on.“
Clayback also thanked Sen. Bill Dodd for his support of AB-133.
“We must do all we can to ensure people with disabilities get the specialized equipment they need that allows them to live their lives to the fullest,” Dodd said in the news announcement. “Also, we must ensure this vulnerable population has access to a network of qualified providers. With passage of the health trailer bill, we are doing that, achieving a level of dignity people deserve. I thank my colleagues for seeing the value in the proposal.”
The NCART announcement recognized additional AB-133 supporters, including the California Association of Medical Product Suppliers, California Children’s Hospital Association, Children’s Specialty Care Coalition, Disability Rights California, Advanced Medical Technology Association, Spinal Care Network, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Care to You Health, and AdvaMed.
