TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an amendment to Contract No. 33184, and any subsequent amendments including amending the terms, extending the grant period, or increasing grant amounts, with the County of Los Angeles for the Children’s Health Outreach Initiative (CHOI) Program, to provide outreach, enrollment, utilization, and retention services for the benefit of low-to-moderate income families to obtain affordable medical insurance, in an amount not to exceed $158,813, for a period of one year, with the option to extend the term for four additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to continue providing services to residents needing affordable medical insurance. A 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 forego needed medical care for acute and chronic health conditions such as ear infections, upper respiratory infections, and asthma.
Since 2003, the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) has received funding from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to assist children (ages 0 - 5) and their families to obtain medical coverage. The Children’s Health Outreach Initiative (CHOI) Program, also known as the Community Outreach, Enrollment, Utilization and Retention (COEUR) Program, keeps children and their family members 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 who qualify for low- or no-cost health insurance programs. To date, the CHOI Program has provided outreach and education to 78,721 community members, and 12,438 children and adults have received direct enrollment assistance into a qualifying health insurance plan. Moreover, 11,389 individuals have been assisted with troubleshooting and retention services.
The CHOI Program, along with other Health Department services, strives to increase access to care, which aligns 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 Taylor M. Anderson on July 25, 2019 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on July 24, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 13, 2019 to continue the program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding of up to $158,813 for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Sufficient appropriation is currently budgeted in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenues. No match or in-kind service mandate is required. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER