With the recent approval of its new five-year “Bridge to Reform” Section 1115 Medi-Cal waiver, California has an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen the state’s health care safety net and improve care for California’s uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise vulnerable populations. Many individuals who receive care through safety net providers (community clinics, hospitals, physicians, and county programs) have high care needs that require coordination and collaboration across providers. The new 1115 waiver brings $10 billion in federal funds to California to address these needs through expanded coverage for uninsured adults, increased funding for hospitals’ uncompensated care costs, and improved care coordination for seniors and persons with disabilities through mandatory enrollment in managed care.
This forum will provide an overview of safety net providers and patients, as well as details on the 1115 waiver. Innovative care models that some safety net providers and health plans have begun to develop will also be highlighted, including advancing the concept of a medical home, changing the way providers are paid, re-engineering practices, implementing and using electronic health records, and working to integrate mental health and physical health care.
Confirmed panelists:
This presentation is open to the public. Reservations are recommended.
Agenda and background materials will be available at www.cahpf.org
The California Health Policy Forum is an initiative of the Center for Health Improvement. Funding is provided by grants from the California HealthCare Foundation and The California Wellness Foundation.