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Revolutionizing Healthcare Access: Unveiling the Medi-Cal Expansion Impact in LA County Post My Health LA Sunset

Revolutionizing Healthcare Access: Unveiling the Medi-Cal Expansion Impact in LA County Post My Health LA Sunset

Magazine, Living Well

What Medi-Cal Expansion Means for LA County Health Care — Following Closure of My Health LA

A discussion on “What Medi-Cal Expansion Means for LA County Health Care — Following Closure of My Health LA” provides insights into the recent changes in healthcare access for low-income residents in Los Angeles County. The closure of My Health LA on January 31, 2024, marked the end of a no-cost healthcare program for low-income individuals. However, a significant development is the expansion of Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid, to include all low-income individuals between the ages of 26-49, regardless of immigration status.

Co-sponsored by My Health LA and the California Department of Health Care Services, the discussion  brought together key figures to discuss the transition and its implications for healthcare access in the county. The speakers included Anna Gorman, COO of Community Programs at My Health LA, Louise McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community Clinics Association of LA County, Carmen Ruiz Muniz, COO of Family Health Care Center of Greater Los Angeles, Celia Valdez, Director of Outreach & Education at Maternal and Child Health Access, and two storytellers from Maternal and Child Health Access and Eisner Health Center.

Anna Gorman, in her overview, highlighted the history of My Health LA and the reasons behind its closure. She emphasized the significance of the recent expansion of Medi-Cal, which now covers individuals aged 26 to 49, offering full insurance regardless of immigration status. This expansion is part of a broader effort that began in 2015 with children, followed by young adults in 2020 and older adults in 2022.

The expansion means that low-income undocumented immigrants will have access to a range of healthcare services, including mental health care, medical care, vision and dental services, long-term care, substance use disorder services, transportation, in-home care, and more. Approximately 700,000 individuals statewide are expected to benefit from this expansion.

While celebrating the positive aspects of the expansion, Anna Gorman acknowledged the bittersweet moment as My Health LA, a program that has made a significant impact over the past decade, comes to an end. My Health LA was a partnership between the LA County Department of Health Services, over 50 community health centers, and the Community Clinic Association of LA County.

The speakers emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the Medi-Cal expansion and ensuring that eligible individuals, especially those who were part of My Health LA, apply for coverage. Efforts have been made to reach out through presentations, flyers, calls, and texts. Individuals can seek assistance from community clinics and partner organizations, and there is a dedicated phone number for enrollment.

Anna Gorman addressed potential concerns about applying for state-funded benefits, reassuring individuals that their information is used only to determine eligibility, and state laws protect the privacy of their information. She also clarified that using medical benefits will not negatively impact immigration status, with only a few exceptions.

In conclusion, the briefing highlighted the positive impact of the Medi-Cal expansion on healthcare access for underserved populations in LA County, while acknowledging the contributions of My Health LA over the past decade. The focus is now on ensuring that eligible individuals are aware of the changes and promptly enroll in the expanded healthcare coverage.
Louise McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community Clinics Association of LA County, provided valuable insights during the briefing. She began by sharing her personal experience highlighting the transformative power of healthcare coverage. Reflecting on a time when she faced a $22,000 medical bill while uninsured, Louise emphasized the pivotal role that enrolling in Medical played in changing her life. This personal anecdote underscored the potential impact of healthcare coverage on individuals’ lives.

Louise stressed the importance of healthcare coverage in preventing medical debt, which can significantly influence the trajectory of one’s life. She highlighted the positive changes in her own life, such as becoming a homeowner, employer, and pursuing further education, all made possible by avoiding medical debt through coverage.

The discussion focused on the broader implications of healthcare coverage expansion, emphasizing that access to services can lead to healthier individuals who can actively contribute to their communities. Louise emphasized the role of coverage in enabling individuals to work, care for their families, and participate meaningfully in their communities.

Acknowledging the paperwork involved in the enrollment process, Louise reassured participants that there are dedicated helpers and resources available to assist individuals in navigating the application process. She stressed the importance of awareness and education, ensuring that eligible individuals understand the benefits of enrolling in Medical and dispelling any fears related to public charge concerns.

Furthermore, Louise discussed the positive impact of the healthcare coverage expansion on job opportunities in community health centers. As more individuals gain insurance coverage, there is an increased demand for healthcare services, leading to job openings in these centers. This aligns with the broader theme of healthcare coverage creating not only health benefits but also economic opportunities within communities.

In conclusion, Louise McCarthy’s contribution highlighted the transformative potential of healthcare coverage and emphasized the collaborative efforts between organizations like the Community Clinics Association of LA County and LA County itself to ensure that eligible individuals are aware of and enroll in the expanded healthcare programs. The discussion underscored the positive ripple effects of healthcare coverage on individuals, families, and the community at large.
The discussion continued with Celia Valdez, the Director of Outreach & Education at Maternal and Child Health Access, and Lorena Priotto, Patient Relations Manager at Eisner Health Center. Celia expressed her happiness to be part of the conversation, highlighting the positive impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the subsequent expansion of healthcare coverage.

Celia introduced Guadalupe Ramirez, a client who had benefited from the ACA in 2015. Guadalupe shared her story, expressing gratitude for the comprehensive coverage her children received, especially her son, who underwent life-saving treatment with the help of coverage. She described the expansion as a gift, providing peace of mind and relieving the financial burden of healthcare expenses for herself.

Maternal and Child Health Access has been dedicated to ensuring meaningful access to healthcare services, particularly for the uninsured and underinsured population of Los Angeles. Celia discussed the organization’s role in screening individuals for eligibility and enrolling them in various programs, including Medi-Cal. She highlighted the significance of the recent expansion, allowing people to obtain full comprehensive coverage under one program.

The expansion has brought about changes in managed care, a new concept for many individuals without previous comprehensive coverage. Celia emphasized the importance of education and support in helping people understand their options, choose a healthcare provider, and access services.

Lorena Priotto from Eisner Health Center discussed the center’s efforts in communicating upcoming changes to My Health LA participants and assisting them in enrolling in restricted Medical for a smooth transition into full scope benefits. She mentioned the challenges related to the fear of public charge still affecting a small percentage of patients and emphasized the need for continued education to dispel such fears.

Lorena also expressed excitement about the expanded benefits, including coverage for services like hearing aids, glasses, and durable medical equipment. The shortened wait times for specialist referrals enhance the overall accessibility of healthcare services for patients.

As the discussion shifted back to Anna Gorman, she acknowledged the challenges and uncertainties, noting that the recent expansion might be a precursor to a more complete healthcare coverage system. However, she highlighted the existing deficit in the state budget, raising questions about the possibility of further expansions in the near future. Despite this, the conversation underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to educate the community, address public charge fears, and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all.

#HealthcareAccess #MediCalExpansion #MyHealthLA #LAHealthcare #PublicHealthEquity #CommunityWellness #HealthcareTransformation #Medicaid #HealthCoverage #AffordableCareAct #HealthEquityNow #CaliforniaHealthcare #CommunityHealthCenters #PatientStories #HealthcareAdvocacy

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