GOV §22850.5: (a) In performing the duties prescribed by Section 22850, the board shall negotiate with carriers providing health benefit plans to add a core health plan option to the existing portfolio of health pl

(a) In performing the duties prescribed by Section 22850, the board shall negotiate with carriers providing health benefit plans to add a core health plan option to the existing portfolio of health plans or to implement other measures to achieve ongoing cost savings beginning in the 2012–13 fiscal year, or both. (b) For purposes of this section, a “core health plan” means a plan that includes all of the following: (1) A plan that provides coverage for essential benefits at lower premiums, for both the state and the employee, than existing benefit plan options. (2) A plan that may include fewer benefits and higher employee cost sharing than those provided in existing health benefit plan options. (3) A plan option that is available for participants beginning in the 2012 open enrollment period for the 2013 calendar year.