Title
Receive an oral update on the remaining Uninsurable in Monterey.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation on the remaining Uninsurable in Monterey County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Although decreasing the number of uninsured is a key goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which provides Medicaid coverage to many low-income individuals, many Monterey County residents remain uninsured and unable to pay for medical care. It is estimated that there are 30,000 - 50,000 Monterey County residents without health insurance. On May 1, 2016 full scope Medi-Cal coverage became available for all eligible state residents from age 0 - 19 (documented and undocumented). However, there remain a significant number of adults residing in Monterey County who are without medical insurance.
On October 18, 2016 the Board of Supervisors received a presentation that provided a summary of the healthcare challenges to Monterey County’s remaining uninsurable individuals, existing programs and services, the remaining gaps experienced by the uninsured, and a review of the models provided by other counties to close these gaps. Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action (COPA), the Monterey County Health Department, and Natividad Medical Center (NMC) collaborated in presenting this report.
The Board of Supervisors at the October18, 2016 meeting, created an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Chair Parker and Supervisor Salinas. Stakeholder Representatives from the Health, Social Services, Budget, County Counsel, NMC and COPA and Center for Community Advocacy (CCA) met with the Ad Hoc Committee to consider options on resolving gaps in accessing healthcare to the remaining uninsurable within Monterey County, and to provide an update to the Board of Supervisors on its recommendations in four to six months.
The first meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Uninsurable Health Care Initiative was held on October 31, 2015 At the first meeting the Committee discussed and considered the following:
• Elements to be included in a program such as being comprehensive, assessable, affordable, county-wide, with links to primary care providers.
• Target Population - Determining the number of Uninsurable residents of Monterey County
• Potential partners to be included in the program and committee members who would be reaching out to them for inclusion and support.
• Identifying and researching other potential County or Private programs in existence today.
• Goal of bringing back programs and costs associated these programs to the Board of Supervisors in March 2017.
The Stakeholder Committee anticipates meeting every other week during November and December at this time. The Ad Hoc Committee will meet as necessary and consider other meetings to be held in the future with various to be included in the discussions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Health Department worked with, Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action (COPA), Department of Social Services, CAO office, and Natividad Medical Center in preparation for the Study Session.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the general fund with this request.
Prepared and approved by: Manuel T. Gonzalez, Assistant County Administrative Officer, x3593