(

a) The California Medical Assistance Commission may negotiate exclusive contracts with any county that seeks to provide, or arrange for the provision of, the health care services provided under this chapter. The California Medical Assistance Commission shall establish regulations concerning the time for submittal of proposed plans for a contract by a county, and for the time by which the California Medical Assistance Commission shall decide whether or not to accept the county’s proposal. (

b) The department shall seek all federal waivers necessary to allow for federal financial participation in expenditures under this article. This

article shall not be implemented until all necessary waivers have been approved by the federal government. (c)

(1) Notwithstanding subdivision (

a) or any other provision of law, on and after the effective date of the act adding this subdivision, the department shall have exclusive authority to negotiate the rates, terms, and conditions of county organized health systems contracts and contract amendments under this

article or under

Article 7 (commencing with

Section 14490) of

Chapter 8. As of that date, all references in this

article to the negotiator or the California Medical Assistance Commission shall mean the department.

(2) For contracts executed pursuant to this article, the department shall disclose, upon request, each negotiated contract or contract amendment executed by both parties after July 1, 2007, which shall be considered public records for the purposes of the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with

Section 7920.000) of Title of the Government Code), including contracts that reveal the department’s rates of payment for health care services, the rates themselves, and rate manuals.