CA Bus & Prof Code Section 2425.1

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a)

Currently, California is experiencing an access to health care crisis that, in large measure, is the result of medical group insolvency, health facility closures, low or no reimbursement rates, and an increasing number of uninsured.

(b)

Adding to the access to health care crisis is a state population that is growing in cultural and linguistic diversity as well as in absolute numbers.

(c)

On paper, California appears to have an adequate number of physicians in most areas of the state. California, however, does not have data indicating the cultural and linguistic background of licensed physicians, how many physicians are actively practicing medicine, how many physicians are practicing part time, how many physicians have retired from practice, or how many physicians have moved into administrative positions and no longer treat patients.

(d)

In order to fully understand and cope with California’s access to health care crisis, it is necessary to collect data concerning the status and scope of practice of California’s licensed physicians as well as his or her cultural and linguistic background.