Title
a. Receive a presentation on the Remaining Uninsured in Monterey County; and
b. Consider convening a Study Group to address the gaps to accessing healthcare for the Remaining Uninsured within Monterey County, to provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on resolving gaps in accessing healthcare to the Remaining Uninsured with Monterey County, and to provide an update to the Board of Supervisors on its recommendations in four to six months.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation on the Remaining Uninsured in Monterey County; and
b. Consider convening a Study Group to address the gaps to accessing healthcare for the Remaining Uninsured within Monterey County, to provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on resolving gaps in accessing healthcare to the Remaining Uninsured with Monterey County, and to provide an update to the Board of Supervisors on its recommendations in four to six months.
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.
Studies repeatedly demonstrate that uninsured individuals are less likely than those with insurance to receive preventive medical care and services for major health conditions and chronic diseases. Receiving needed care is especially important for the uninsured since they are generally not as healthy as those with insurance and have a higher risk for preventable hospitalizations. Treatme...
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