INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: 09/28/2026
Subject: Consider Recommendation to Sunset the Managed Care Commission (MCC)
Submitted For: Irene Lo, MD; Executive Director, Contra Costa Health Plan
Department: Contra Costa Health Services
Referral No: 26/5
Referral Name: Advisory Body Triennial Review
Presenter: Irene Lo, MD; Executive Director of Contra Costa Health Plan
Contact: Theresa Zhang, tzhang@cchealth.org
Referral History:
As part of the County’s regular review of advisory bodies, established by Resolution No. 2012/261, the Managed Care Commission (MCC) was included in the Triennial Advisory Body Review, Phase III, Review Cycle 4. The Phase III report was presented by the Clerk of the Board’s Office to the Internal Operations Committee on June 22, 2026. The report included a description of the MCC and recommendations from staff to consider sunsetting the commission. The Board of Supervisors accepted the report at their June 30, 2026 meeting and directed staff to submit and present an item to the Internal Operations Committee to consider sunsetting the MCC.
Referral Update:
The MCC was last active in 2022. All 15 seats are currently vacant; the final two members’ terms expired on October 31, 2025. Because the MCC is inactive and its member and community engagement functions are now being performed by the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), since January 2023, Health Services Department staff recommend sunsetting the MCC.
The MCC was established on May 16, 1995, pursuant to Board Order 2.2 (attached). Its purpose was to help ensure that the Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP) was responsive to the health insurance needs of Contra Costa County residents and to promote awareness of CCHP, particularly among medically vulnerable populations. When the MCC was active, the Board of Supervisors appointed 15 members who either lived or worked in Contra Costa County. Membership included:
• CCHP subscribers or beneficiaries representing each line of business: Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Commercial;
• At least one member knowledgeable about the health care needs of medically indigent individuals;
• At least one physician who was not contracted with CCHP;
• At least one other health care provider who was not contracted with CCHP; and
• At least nine at-large members who were not contracted with CCHP.
The MCC provided a forum for consumer, provider, and community input regarding the health care needs of populations served by the County. It also sought to ensure diverse input based on gender, ethnicity, culture, geography, and other community perspectives. The MCC historically participated in long-range planning and policy development and made recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, the Health Services Director, and CCHP leadership.
CCHP has since established and operates the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), which performs the member and community engagement functions required by CCHP’s contract with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). The CAC has been active since January 2023 and meets quarterly with CCHP leaders of member-facing teams. CAC members are selected by the CAC selection committee to provide diverse community and stakeholder representation. Membership is comprised primarily of CCHP members or Medi-Cal members. The CAC provides input, advice, and recommendations to CCHP on issues including:
• Quality of care;
• Health equity and health disparities;
• Population health management;
• Children's services;
• Community reinvestment;
• Community health assessments and improvement plans; and
• Other issues affecting CCHP members and the communities it serves.
Given that the MCC is inactive, has no current members, and its functions are now being performed through the active CAC, there is no operational need to maintain the MCC as a separate County advisory body. CCHP has also consulted with County Counsel on the decision to sunset the MCC.
In addition to the CAC, the County operates the Joint Conference Committee (JCC) for CCHP. The CAC is advisory to CCHP leadership and its governing authority, where signed quarterly CAC meeting minutes are reviewed and accepted by the JCC. Membership is comprised of nine (9) members: four (4) voting members and five (5) non-voting members. Voting members include two (2) members of the Board of Supervisors and two (2) physician members appointed by the Board. Non-voting members include the CCHP Medical Director, the Director of Health Services of Contra Costa County, the CCHP CEO Executive Director, the Health Services Chief Financial Officer, and the Chair of the Managed Care Commission, which is sunsetting. Upon approval to sunset the MCC, CCHP will amend the JCC charter to remove the Chair of the MCC as a non-voting member and ensure the updated charter reflects the new committee structure. CCHP anticipates clarifying the role and relationship of the JCC and the CCHP committees in the updated JCC charter and new JCC bylaws.
Through the JCC, the Board of Supervisors provides oversight, direction, and advises the Contra Costa Health Plan. The responsibilities include the following:
• Promotes communication between the Board of Supervisors, the CCHP Quality Council, and CCHP administration;
• Assesses and monitors the overall performance of CCHP and its contracted providers including, but not limited to, the quality of care and service provided to members;
• Receives, evaluates, and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the reports and recommendations of the Quality Council. Such reports include reports regarding the current and on-going activities of the QM Department and are made on a quarterly basis or more frequently as may be required;
• Reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations to the Board, annually or more frequently as required, regarding modification of the QMP and work plan, and implementation of the QMP and work plan;
• Receives, evaluates, and takes action with regard to reports from CCHP's QM Director and Medical Director regarding the current and on-going activities of the QM Department on a quarterly basis or more frequently as may be required. Any action taken by the Joint Conference Committee is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors;
• Modifies, approves, and implements provider sanctions and contract terminations. Any action taken by the Joint Conference Committee is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors;
• Reviews, evaluates, and acts upon Medical Policy Guidelines, subject to the Board of Supervisors' approval;
• Receives and reviews quarterly reports regarding Appeals Committee activity; and
• Receives and reviews reports on adherence to Privacy and Confidentiality regulations.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
1) ACCEPT the recommendation of staff to sunset the Managed Care Commission
2) RECOMMEND to the Board of Supervisors the Managed Care Commission be sunset
3) PROVIDE staff with additional direction as needed.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.