TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute the Eighth Amendment to Contract Agreement No. H-300266, and any subsequent amendments or necessary documents, between Los Angeles County and the City of Long Beach for the Community Outreach, Enrollment, Utilization and Retention (COEUR) Program in the not-to-exceed amount of $353,028 for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015, to provide Community Outreach, Enrollment, Utilization and Retention (COEUR) services for the benefit of low to moderate income families to gain affordable medical insurance. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
It is estimated that 23 percent, or 102,440, of Long Beach residents are uninsured, well above the 18.5 percent uninsured rate for the State (U.S. Census, 2010). Furthermore, approximately one in four children in Los Angeles County are uninsured (Los Angeles County, DPH, 2011). Lack of health insurance is the most important barrier impacting children's access to health care. Children without health insurance are less likely than those who are insured to see a physician for prevention-based care including immunizations and other well-child care services. Uninsured families 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, and asthma.
Since 2003, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has received funding from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to assist children (ages 0-5) and their families to get medical coverage. The COEUR program keeps kids healthy by ensuring access to health care coverage through community outreach, assistance with enrollment, utilization of services, and retention of health insurance benefits. Intensive case management and follow-up is conducted to ensure full use of medical and preventive care benefits for children and families that qualify for low-or no-cost health insurance programs. To date, the COEUR program has provided outreach and education to over 68,234 community members, and 9,864 children and adults have received direct enrollment assistance into a qualifying health insurance. Moreover, 7,263 individuals have been assisted with troubleshooting and retention services.
The COEUR program, along with other Health Department services that aim at increasing access to care, is aligned with the national implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the City's overall goal to keep Long Beach safe, healthy and economically robust.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on May 8, 2013 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 14, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on June 11, 2013 in order to continue services and funding without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding of $353,028 for the grant period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015. Sufficient funding is currently budgeted in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE). There is no City match, no impact on the General Fund, and no net impact to jobs associated with this action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
SUSAN PRICE
ACTING DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER