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. Treatment of major health conditions and chronic disease is costly to states, counties and health organizations.
The oral report will provide a summary of the healthcare challenges to Monterey County’s remaining uninsured indigents, 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 are collaborating in presenting this report.
It is recommended that the County and its collaborative partners continue to work together to identify and implement a plan for helping uninsured patients in Monterey County.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2011-2015 Strategic Plan initiative to: Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports one or more of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 7) Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
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 By: Maura Noel, Management Analyst, 1344
Approved By: Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, 4526
Attachment:
Agenda is on file with the Clerk of the Board
COPA PowerPoint on file with the Clerk of the Board
Health Department PowerPoint on file with the Clerk of the Board