One of Dr. Richard Pan's first actions as Assembly Health Committee chair next year will be helping to build a new financial framework for medical groups and health plans.
DR. PAN: "What we want is for risk-bearing organizations that the opportunity for being successful is really to take better care, more cost-effective care of people who are ill, that they want to actually embrace them. That that's where the opportunity is to be successful."
Dr. Pan says the practice of avoiding sick people to protect finances has been a problem, and could continue to be even under the Affordable Care Act.
DR. PAN: "We have some major things that are in the ACA, but still we need to continue to think about ways that basically take away the financial incentive to avoid people who are ill."
Dr. Pan plans to hold an informational hearing at the state Capitol in January.
