Funds Run Dry for Ventura County Program Targeting the Uninsured
On Friday, Ventura County officials announced that they will not accept new applications for the Access Coverage Enrollment Program because of funding limitations, the Ventura County Star reports.
The program was launched in September 2007 using a federal grant that provided $10 million annually for three years. The program currently provides services to 9,455 uninsured county residents, almost half of whom have chronic conditions.
Current members will continue to receive care, and applications that have already been submitted will be processed.
Mike Powers, director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency, said program staff will try to enroll people in Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. He said staff also would direct people to county clinics for care (Kisken, Ventura County Star, 4/25). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.