California Budget & Policy Center

HistoryOPA's statutory charge (as of July 1, 2014) is to coordinate, provide assistance to, and collect data from state health care consumer assistance call centers. The goal of these efforts is to better enable health care consumers to access the health care services for which they are eligible.SpecialtiesThe Office of the Patient Advocate's mission is to improve California health care quality and advocate for consumer interests by publicly reporting data for informed decision making. OPA is charged with producing: Health Care Quality Report Cards with clinical performance and patient experience data for the state's largest health plans and over 200 medical groups. These entities are responsible for providing health care services to more than 16 million Californians. Complaint Data Reports and Baseline Review of State Consumer Assistance Call Centers with data findings based on health care consumer complaint data and call center information submitted to OPA from the Department of Managed Health Care, Department of Insurance, Department of Health Care Services, and Covered California. Model Protocols for State Consumer Assistance Call Centers with recommendations for responding to and referring calls outside of a call center's jurisdiction.

The County Health Executives Association of California (CHEAC) is a statewide organization comprised of county and city health department and agency directors. Focused on promoting and improving the health of all Californians, CHEAC addresses the unique health needs of local communities through a variety of public health initiatives. Members of CHEAC represent diverse administrative and health professional disciplines, working collaboratively to oversee and deliver a broad range of local public health and indigent health care services. The organization also facilitates regular meetings and training opportunities to support its members in enhancing public health outcomes. Generated from the website

CSAC, also known as the California State Association of Counties, represents county government before the California legislature, administrative agencies and the federal government. Established in 1895, the organization is an association of more than 55 counties. It provides education to people about the value and need for county programs and services. CSAC participates in the spring and annual meetings of the National Association of Counties. It has a staff of over 30 full-time employees and has an annual operating budget of over $6 million. The organization publishes a weekly legislative bulletin during the legislative session and distributes it to more than 2,000 subscribers. It also publishes a bi-monthly magazine called California Counties with a circulation of over 7,500. CSAC is located in Sacramento, Calif.