TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents to accept grant funding from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in the amount of $75,056 to expand Medi-Cal outreach and enrollment activities under the Children’s Health Outreach, Enrollment, Utilization and Retention contract (#PH002508-01) for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2016. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s (County) Children’s Health Outreach Initiatives (CHOI) unit has awarded the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) an augmentation to contract PH002508 for the Children’s Health Outreach, Enrollment, Utilization and Retention (CHOEUR) Program in the amount of $75,056 over a two-year period of July 1, 2014 thru June 30, 2016. These funds are to be used to increase the Health Department’s outreach, enrollment, and retention efforts, specifically for Medi-Cal eligible target populations, such as persons with mental health disorders, persons with substance use disorders, persons who are homeless, young men of color, families of mixed-immigration status, and persons with limited English proficiency.
Lack of health insurance is the most significant barrier impacting a person's access to health care. People without health insurance are less likely than those who are insured to see a physician for prevention-based care, including physicals, immunizations, and other care services. Uninsured persons tend to rely on emergency rooms for their regular source of care, and to go without needed medical care for acute and chronic health conditions, such as ear infections, throat infections, diabetes, obesity, and asthma.
Since 2003, the Health Department has received funding from the County to assist children (ages 0-5) and their families to get medical coverage. The CHOEUR Program keeps kids healthy by ensuring access to health care coverage through commun...
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