Bill
SB 338
SB 338 establishes virtual health hubs in rural California to improve healthcare access for farmworkers, addressing disparities and empowering local organizations.
SB 338, introduced by Senator Becker, aims to establish the Virtual Health Hub for Rural Communities Pilot Program. This initiative is designed to enhance access to health services for farmworkers in rural areas of California, addressing significant healthcare disparities faced by this population.
Program Administration: The State Department of Public Health will oversee the program, which includes the distribution of grants to community-based organizations.
Grant Distribution: Grants will be awarded to partnerships of at least two separate community-based organizations. These organizations must demonstrate a history of serving medically underserved communities.
Virtual Health Hubs: The program will facilitate the creation of virtual health hubs equipped with:
Deployment Criteria: Grant recipients are required to establish virtual health hubs in two rural communities, selected based on the farmworker population and existing healthcare access.
Funding Conditions: The program will be funded through the Virtual Health Hub Fund, which must have a minimum of $2,000,000. Importantly, no General Fund moneys will be utilized for this program.
Reporting Requirements: The Department of Public Health must post a notice on its website regarding the program's implementation. Two years after this notice, the department is required to submit a report to the Legislature detailing the demographics and types of health services accessed by users of the virtual health hubs.
Repeal Conditions: The provisions of this bill will be repealed when specified conditions are met.
Target Population: The primary beneficiaries of this program are farmworkers, a demographic that often faces barriers to healthcare access due to factors such as lack of transportation, fear of job loss, and financial constraints.
Health Disparities: The bill responds to alarming statistics indicating that a significant portion of farmworkers lack health insurance and experience chronic health issues, including diabetes and hypertension.
Community Empowerment: By prioritizing community-based organizations, the program aims to empower local entities to address health disparities effectively and sustainably.
SB 338 represents a significant step towards improving healthcare access for rural farmworker communities in California. By leveraging technology and community partnerships, the program aims to create sustainable health solutions tailored to the unique needs of this underserved population.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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