Health
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
NORTH COAST, Calif. – MCHC Health Centers continues to provide essential healthcare to people in Ukiah, Willits and Lakeport, while fighting to slow and ultimately stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“As the situation unfolds, we are adapting our care so people can get the services they need. Our hardworking staff and dedicated providers remain here and ready to care for patients,” said acting Chief Executive Officer Jill Damian.
In collaboration with Lake and Mendocino County Public Health and other local healthcare providers, MCHC is doing everything possible to protect patients and healthcare workers from the novel coronavirus, said Damian.
Phone consultations
One way MCHC is doing this is by replacing in-person visits with phone consultations when appropriate.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jerry Douglas said, “We want to offer as much healthcare to as many people as we can without increasing their risk of exposure to COVID-19. We minimize staff and patient exposure by continually disinfecting our health centers and providing care remotely when we can. I’m incredibly proud of our hard-working staff and medical team who are adapting quickly to a difficult situation.”
Regular business hours with screening
Although many patient visits will be done via phone consultations, some care must be provided in-person.
MCHC is open during regular business hours with modified services at all four sites: in Ukiah at Hillside Health Center and Dora Street Health Center, in Willits at Little Lake Health Center, and in Lakeport at Lakeview Health Center.
When patients call for any type of appointment, they will be asked whether they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath). They will also be informed as to whether they qualify for a phone visit or need to be seen in person.
Regardless of symptoms, all patients will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms when they arrive at any MCHC site before receiving care.
Services currently available
The following services are currently available:
· Medical services including urgent care, primary care, and Care for Her are available in-person and via phone. Please call to schedule an appointment. If you are seeking care for COVID-19 symptoms, the medical team will explain how to proceed.
· Dental services will remain open for emergency care.
· All Behavioral Health services will be done via telephone visits.
These services are currently suspended:
· All group visits and classes are on hold.
· All MCHC Care-A-Van services have been suspended.
Dr. Douglas said, “To ensure the safety and well-being of our patients and staff, we request that friends and family wait in their cars unless they are an essential caregiver or accompanying a minor. Thank you for understanding in this challenging time.”
Health experts agree that the prevalence of the virus is likely to increase dramatically in the coming weeks, and that the best way to prevent overwhelming local healthcare facilities is for all people to stay at home unless they absolutely must go out, for example, to get food or medical care.
For the latest announcements from Public Health, visit www.mendocinocounty.org/community/novel-coronavirus or www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/PressReleases .
To contact MCHC for an appointment, call 707-468-1010. For more information about MCHC services, visit www.mchcinc.org .
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Specifically, the letter outlines a need for a contingency plan to provide immediate assistance for rural communities as they prepare for a potential surge in patients as more positive COVID-19 cases are identified nationwide.
As part of their letter to the vice president, the members wrote, “Rural areas are already struggling to efficiently manage the current public health crisis as it unfolds. As a result of distance to testing laboratories, residents in some rural areas face wait times of several days for results of COVID-19 tests. Additionally, physicians at rural clinics – already operating on low resources – are reporting shortages of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves.”
Explicitly, Huffman, Torres Small, and Kuster drew attention to the need to not leave rural communities and their vulnerable populations behind at the peak of this public health crisis, with heightened attention to the following issues:
– Does the taskforce have a contingency plan for when rural hospitals become overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients?
– Will the administration instruct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop patient surge protections?
– As rural hospitals stretch their resources and increase bed capacity, how can the taskforce support necessary increases in medical professionals to staff additional beds?
– As the administration utilizes the Defense Production Act to quickly increase critical medical supplies, how will the taskforce ensure supplies are appropriately delivered to both urban centers and rural areas?
– The Army Corps of Engineers stated its intent to use dormitories, hotels and convention centers as emergency treatment centers. Is there a plan for rural areas that do not have these facilities?
“During the limited time we have to prepare for a surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States, we urge you to develop a contingency plan to assist rural communities,” the members continued. “Such a plan must take a whole-government approach and stand ready to use all available federal resources such as medical personnel and facilities of the Department of Veteran Affairs, transportation and logistical resources of the Department of Defense, and the intra-agency coordination and temporary medical facility construction experience of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).”
In addition to Representatives Huffman, Torres Small, and Kuster today’s letter to the Vice President was signed by Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Deb Haaland (NM-01), TJ Cox (CA-21), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Sanford Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Jim Costa (CA-16), Daniel Kildee (MI-05), G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), William Keating (MA-09), Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), and David Trone (MD-06).
The full letter can be found below.
Dear Vice President Pence,
We write to express concerns regarding the ability of rural medical providers to cope with a potential surge of positive Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in rural areas and to ask what actions the White House Coronavirus Taskforce (the Taskforce) has planned to take under such circumstances. It is essential for our rural hospitals and all rural medical facilities to have certainty that in the case of an overflow of patients, the federal government will be ready to provide immediate assistance.
Rural America’s existing challenges with healthcare access and workforce capacity are being intensified by the spread of COVID-19. For 115 million Americans, the nearest medical facility is over an hour away by ground transportation. Since 2005, 161 rural hospitals have had to close their doors, a trend that has only intensified in recent years. 2018 saw a record number of rural hospital closures, with a total of 18 closures in one year. As rural Americans prepare for the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must work to keep rural hospitals open to face this challenge.
Today, experts estimate that in the case of a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases within individuals 60 and older, only eight states would have sufficient hospital beds to provide care. According to recent studies, states such as Oregon, California, and New Mexico would need as many as 20 times their current hospital bed capacity to be able to treat the projected influx of patients. Even in a scenario where there are enough beds available to treat patients during the epidemiological peak of this pandemic, rural areas already grappling with provider shortages may not have enough health care professionals to treat a significant increase in patients.
Rural areas are already struggling to efficiently manage the current public health crisis as it unfolds. As a result of distance to testing laboratories, residents in some rural areas face wait times of three to four days for results of COVID-19 tests. Additionally, physicians at rural clinics are reporting shortages of personal protective equipment such as respirator masks and gloves.
During the limited time we have to prepare for a surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States, we urge you to develop a contingency plan to assist rural communities. Such a plan must take a whole-government approach and stand ready to use all available federal resources such as the medical personnel and facilities of the Department of Veteran Affairs, transportation and logistical resources of the Department of Defense, and the intra-agency coordination and temporary medical facility construction experience of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
To ensure rural areas nationwide and their vulnerable populations are not left behind at the peak of this public health crisis, we ask that you provide a response to the following questions no later than April 6:
Does the Taskforce have a contingency plan for when rural hospitals become overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients? If so, please describe an overview of the plan. If not, why not?
Will the Administration instruct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop patient surge protections, such as a plan for periodic interim payments, specifically for Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Health Clinics?
As rural hospitals stretch their resources and increase bed capacity, how can the Taskforce support necessary increases in medical professionals to staff additional beds?
As the Administration utilizes the Defense Production Act to quickly increase critical medical supplies, how will the Taskforce ensure supplies are appropriately delivered to both urban centers and rural areas?
The Army Corps of Engineers has stated its intent to use dormitories, hotels, and convention centers as emergency treatment centers. Is there a plan for rural areas that do not have these facilities?
Understanding that FEMA is now taking the lead in the national COVID-19 response, what is FEMA doing to ensure its resources are easily accessible to rural hospitals, which often have less administrative staff and resources?
Is FEMA actively working to help states procure needed hospital supplies? If so, please detail the steps that are being taken. If not, why not?
Sincerely,
Jared Huffman
Member of Congress
Xochitl Torres Small
Member of Congress
Ann McLane Kuster
Member of Congress
- Details
- Written by: Covered California
Effective Friday, March 20, Covered California opened the health insurance exchange to any eligible uninsured individuals who need health care coverage amid the COVID-19 national emergency.
Anyone who meets Covered California’s eligibility requirements, which are similar to those in place during the annual open-enrollment period, can sign up for coverage through June 30.
“We want to get as many people covered as possible to ensure they have access to the health care they need,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “Having more people insured is the right thing to do, and this action builds on our efforts to leave no one behind in California.”
People who sign up through Covered California will have access to private health insurance plans with monthly premiums that may be lowered due to federal and new state financial help that became effective in 2020. After selecting a plan, their coverage would begin on the first of the following month – meaning individuals losing job-based coverage will not face a gap in coverage.
In addition, consumers who sign up through CoveredCA.com may find out that they are eligible for no-cost or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal, which they can enroll in online. Those eligible for Medi-Cal can have coverage that is immediately effective.
California has put a 90-day hold on Medi-Cal renewal reviews, ensuring those already enrolled can continue their coverage and freeing up resources to quickly process the expected new enrollments.
DHCS also is seeking expanded authority to expedite enrollment for seniors and other vulnerable populations, expand the use of telehealth, and take other steps to make care easier to access.
“The extraordinary challenges posed by COVID-19 demand an equally extraordinary response, and the Medi-Cal and Covered California systems are stepping up to meet the need for health coverage and ease access to services,” said Dr. Bradley P. Gilbert, director of the Department of Health Care Services.
DHCS oversees Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid, which provides coverage for about 13 million Californians.
The California Department of Managed Health Care, or DMHC, and the California Department of Insurance will provide guidance to health plans on the special-enrollment period, which will also include off-exchange health plans. This will ensure consumers enrolling in the entire individual market in California will have access to coverage during the pandemic emergency.
“We are working together to protect the health and safety of Californians during this pandemic,” said DMHC Director Shelley Rouillard. “This includes making sure that Californians are able to access health care coverage. Opening a special-enrollment period due to COVID-19 offers new coverage options to Californians when they need it most.”
All Covered California and Medi-Cal plans offering telehealth options
All health plans offered through Covered California and by Medi-Cal provide telehealth options for enrollees, giving individuals the ability to connect with a health care professional by phone or video without having to personally visit a doctor’s office or hospital.
All medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19 is free of charge. This includes telehealth or doctor’s office visits as well as network emergency room or urgent care visits when necessary for the purpose of screening and testing for COVID-19.
In addition, Medi-Cal covers costs associated with COVID-19 in both its managed care plans and with fee for service providers. Covered California health plans will help cover costs that arise from any required treatment or hospitalization.
“A core part of our mission is improving access to high-quality health care, and that has never been more important than it is right now in California,” Lee said.
New ad campaign to get the word out
Covered California will be alerting the public about the new special enrollment period through television, radio and digital ads.
Covered California is already running ads that highlight the new financial help that is available for the first time this year, the new state individual mandate penalty and ads that make the connection to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability to get coverage.
New state subsidies help Californians lower their health care costs
Californians who sign up for coverage may be able to benefit from a new state subsidy program that expanded the amount of financial help available to many people. The subsidies are already benefitting about 625,000 Covered California consumers. Roughly 576,000 lower-income consumers, who earn between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or FPL, are receiving an average of $608 per month, per household in federal tax credits and new state subsidies (which averages $23 per household).
The financial assistance lowers the average household monthly premium from $881 per month to $272, a decrease of 70 percent.
In addition, nearly 32,000 middle-income consumers have already qualified for new state subsidies, with average state subsidy to eligible households is $504 per month, lowering their monthly premium by nearly half.
Many of those eligible for the new middle-income state subsidies are an estimated 280,000 Californians who are likely eligible for new state or existing federal subsidies but kept their “off-exchange” coverage. They are also eligible to switch to Covered California and benefit from the financial help.
During this special enrollment period, Covered California, its health plans and certified agents will be reaching out to these Californians to let them know how they can save money on their premiums – which will help them keep their coverage in challenging financial times.
California’s success in expanding coverage strengthens pandemic response
The policies announced today build on the success of the Affordable Care Act in California. Since the law was signed 10 years ago, California’s uninsured rate has dropped to a record low of 7.2 percent thanks to the expansion of Medi-Cal and the creation of Covered California.
“California’s policy makers made important choices ten years ago to build the Covered California exchange and dramatically expand the state’s Medi-Cal program. Those choices – as well as new efforts by Gov. Newsom and the Legislature to bolster financial support to buy coverage – mean many millions of people have coverage today and can get it tomorrow for this critical moment in time,” Lee said. “Our goals now must be to make sure we meet the needs of those without insurance – whether they just lost their coverage or lost their income – while assuring those with coverage get the care they need, when then need it. The urgency of this public health crisis calls on all of us to do everything we can to help Californians.”
Staying safe while getting help enrolling
With the just announced order for Californians to stay home if they are not engaged in essential work or travel, Covered California is working with the more than 10,000 Certified Insurance Agents that help Californians sign up and understand their coverage options through phone-based service models.
“We are in a different world right now, but social distance does not mean you cannot get personal help,” Lee said. “Our agents and staff are stepping up to help people by phone and support them to enroll online.”
Consumers can easily find out if they are eligible Medi-Cal or other forms of financial help and see which plans are available in their area by using the CoveredCA.Com Shop and Compare Tool and entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who need coverage.
Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can also visit www.CoveredCA.com or call Covered California at 800-300-1506.
- Details
- Written by: Cal OES
In continuing support of these Americans, up to 24 individuals who disembarked the cruise ship are being relocated to a cluster of buildings on the Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove.
The individuals will be temporarily housed in buildings that are removed from visitors and the public, and will not interact with other Asilomar guests, employees or the general public.
All the individuals have been screened by medical professionals, and because they have mild symptoms that do not require hospitalization, they cannot be quarantined at Travis Air Force Base. While none of these individuals is known to have contracted novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, they will be tested and monitored by medical professionals while at Asilomar.
This housing effort is focused on protecting the health of these Americans and the public health of California's communities and military readiness at Travis Air Force Base.
The California Health and Human Services Agency and California Governor's Office of Emergency Services are partnering with federal and local governments to ensure that adequate protocols are in place to protect the health of the disembarked passengers and the public health of California and the communities surrounding Asilomar.
The state is also working closely with local agencies, including Monterey County and the City of Pacific Grove, to coordinate this mission and provide communication and information to the public.
"These residents have endured a lot of stress in the last few days, and our top priority is to protect their health – and the public health of California – until they can return to their homes," said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. "We understand people across California are concerned about novel coronavirus, and that's why we're collaborating with our federal partners to ensure that the community surrounding Asilomar is not impacted."
"State Parks is ready to step up and support these Americans who need our assistance, and we continue to make the health and safety of visitors, employees and the public our top priority," said State Parks Director Lisa Mangat.
"We are grateful to the community of Pacific Grove and Monterey County for stepping up to care for our fellow Americans in their time of need," said Mark, Ghilarducci, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. "This community embodies the leadership we have seen in other parts of the state, including Solano County and Oakland."
"The nation and indeed the rest of the world is watching how our community reacts to this situation," said Monterey County District 5 Supervisor Mary Adams. "We have an opportunity to provide an example of a compassionate humanitarian response."
"We are working with federal and state officials to make sure every step is taken to protect the health of our community," said Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County health officer.
"Public health and safety is the responsibility of every level of government. Pacific Grove is working closely with our state and federal partners to ensure the highest level of safety is provided for our community," said Pacific Grove City Councilmember Amy Tomlinson.
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