Bill > SB338

This bill establishes the Virtual Health Hub for Rural Communities Pilot Program, which aims to expand healthcare access for farmworkers in rural areas through technology-enabled health services. The program will distribute grants to community-based organizations to create "virtual health hubs" - mobile or portable facilities equipped with computers, Wi-Fi, private consultation spaces, and telemedicine exam rooms. These hubs will provide virtual connections to healthcare providers, mental health services, and educational resources. The State Department of Public Health will administer the program, prioritizing organizations that serve medically underserved communities, have culturally competent service models, and can work effectively with farmworker populations. The program will be funded entirely through non-state sources, requiring a minimum of $2 million in the Virtual Health Hub Fund before implementation. Grant recipients must deploy hubs in two rural communities with significant farmworker populations and collect anonymized data about service usage. Two years after launch, the department will submit a comprehensive report to the Legislature detailing program outcomes, including demographic information, types of services accessed, and identified barriers to care. The bill is motivated by survey data showing significant healthcare disparities among farmworkers, such as high rates of uninsurance, limited healthcare access, and prevalent chronic health conditions.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB338