Agenda

Return

D.4

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Date:	February 8, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

RECEIVE report from the Contra Costa CARES Planning Group regarding policy and program options for the Contra Costa CARES Program

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 02/08/2022

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

Contact:

Erika Jenssen, (925)957-5403

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: February 8, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT report from the Contra Costa CARES Planning Group regarding policy and program options for the Contra Costa CARES Program.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact.

BACKGROUND:

In 2015 the Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP) established a pilot program, Contra Costa CARES, for the purpose of providing primary care services to adults not covered by the Affordable Care Act. CCHP coordinates the program for primary care services via three providers: La Clínica de la Raza, Lifelong, and Brighter Beginnings. The providers receive a capitated payment on a per member per month basis.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The Contra Costa CARES budget included a County General purpose revenue contribution of $250,000, CCHP revenue contribution of $500,000, and $750,000 in private hospital matching donations for a total annual program of $1.5 million. The private hospital donations ended in fiscal year 2021/22. There is currently enough funding remaining in the Contra Costa Health Plan budget to extend the current program through June 2023.

The Governor and legislature have acted to allow immigrants aged 50 and over to be enrolled in Medi-Cal beginning May 2022 thus reducing the demand for the CARES program. In the Governor’s latest proposed budget, those of all ages regardless of documentation status who qualify can be enrolled in Medi-Cal as of January 1, 2024.

At the direction of members of the Board of Supervisors, the Health Services Department has contracted with Pacific Health Consulting to facilitate a process with Stakeholders over several months to gather data and ideas about possible revisions to the CARES program to address the unmet needs of the remaining uninsured population. These program and policy options have been summarized and are being presented to the Board in this report.

CLERK'S ADDENDUM

Speakers: Melvin Willis, ACCE, Racial Justice Coalition; No Name Given; James Daniels, ACCE; Edith Pastrano Richmond community organizer; Elsa Stevens, ACCE; Marianna Moore; Concepcion James, United Latino Voices; Francisco Ortiz, San Pablo; Annalyn Ortiz; Diana Hoenig, MultiFaith Action Coalition; Flora Dama ; No Name Given; Anna.

Updated information on the availability of Measure X monies distribution became available after the publishing of the agenda. By unanimous vote, the Board accepted the updated briefing and PowerPoint documents into the record.

ACCEPTED the report; REQUESTED the department return to the Board with further information on funding options; and REQUESTED the County Administrator and/or Health Services Director write a strongly worded letter to the County's hospital partners expressing the Board's dismay that they have not committed to provide $250K in funds for the program for the next two calendar years.