Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
HSS board pushes member notice after heated debate over Cal Index clinical data sharing
Summary
After extensive public and commissioner concern about Cal Index/Calendex sharing member clinical data via an opt‑out model, the Health Service System board directed staff to draft a member notice and asked Blue Shield to cover mailing costs. Public commenters and some commissioners called for opt‑in consent and clearer outreach.
President Scott opened a lengthy public discussion on Cal Index (Calendex), a California integrated clinical data exchange that Blue Shield and Anthem helped found in 2014. Blue Shield and Calendex representatives said the system collects clinically relevant, non‑financial claim and clinical data to create a longitudinal patient record intended to support emergency care, care coordination and limited research. Diamond Jones of Blue Shield described scenarios—such as an autistic patient in an emergency department—where rapid access to clinical history could materially change care.
Several commissioners, retiree representatives and union speakers pushed back sharply over process and…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
