(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and to the extent not otherwise conflicting with federal law, the department may hold for a period of one month, or direct the medical fiscal intermediary for the Medi-Cal program to hold for a period of one month, payments to providers or their designated agents for health care services that are provided pursuant to this chapter, and payments to entities that contract with the department pursuant to this chapter, Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) and Chapter 8.75 (commencing with Section 14591) for the delivery of health care services.
(b) The authority described in subdivision (a) shall be limited to payments for one month only, and only for a month ending prior to June 30, 2009.