Monterey, CA Board Of Supervisors Considering Alternative Low-Income Health Care Plan To Viacare

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The Monterey County Supervisors is considering an interim plan to ensure low-income residents in the county can get access to health insurance.  Many are protesting the fact that the county seems to be backing away from the original program called ViaCare which was supposed to be a precursor to a roll-out of a full plan as required by health care reform laws which kick in in 2014.  Natividad Medical Center CEO Harry Weis (which serves a large contingent of Medi-Cal patients), county Health Department director Ray Bullick and others told the Board on Tuesday that they are in talks with state officials regarding the county's amended application for ViaCare.  The county is also considering yet another plan called Access Point Monterey County which would serve the same purpose as ViaCare.  Regardless of which program is rolled out, these are test programs designed to serve a few hundred to up to 1,500 people.  It won't be until 2014 when there is a broader roll-out of more insurance benefits to the poor.

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands To Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.