New California Department of Public Health
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday signed legislation (SB 162) to restructure the Department of Health Services/DHS to create a new Department of Public Health/DPH.
DPH will focus on managing public health threats posed by epidemics, natural disasters and bioterrorism, while DHS would be responsible for overseeing Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. The law will take effect July 1, 2007. Schwarzenegger will appoint a state Public Health Officer, who must be a licensed physician or surgeon, to oversee the department and two chief deputy directors. In addition, DHS will be renamed the Department of Health Care Services.
DPH will focus on managing public health threats posed by epidemics, natural disasters and bioterrorism, while DHS would be responsible for overseeing Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. The law will take effect July 1, 2007. Schwarzenegger will appoint a state Public Health Officer, who must be a licensed physician or surgeon, to oversee the department and two chief deputy directors. In addition, DHS will be renamed the Department of Health Care Services.
