Section 1342 Of Article 1. General From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 2.2. >> Article 1.
1342
. It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature to promote
the delivery and the quality of health and medical care to the people
of the State of California who enroll in, or subscribe for the
services rendered by, a health care service plan or specialized
health care service plan by accomplishing all of the following:
(a) Ensuring the continued role of the professional as the
determiner of the patient's health needs which fosters the
traditional relationship of trust and confidence between the patient
and the professional.
(b) Ensuring that subscribers and enrollees are educated and
informed of the benefits and services available in order to enable a
rational consumer choice in the marketplace.
(c) Prosecuting malefactors who make fraudulent solicitations or
who use deceptive methods, misrepresentations, or practices which are
inimical to the general purpose of enabling a rational choice for
the consumer public.
(d) Helping to ensure the best possible health care for the public
at the lowest possible cost by transferring the financial risk of
health care from patients to providers.
(e) Promoting effective representation of the interests of
subscribers and enrollees.
(f) Ensuring the financial stability thereof by means of proper
regulatory procedures.
(g) Ensuring that subscribers and enrollees receive available and
accessible health and medical services rendered in a manner providing
continuity of care.
(h) Ensuring that subscribers and enrollees have their grievances
expeditiously and thoroughly reviewed by the department.