Health Plan for Low-Income Alameda County Residents Will Eliminate Coverage for 4,000 Beneficiaries
Alameda County's Alliance Family Care plan, which provides health coverage to people with incomes between 250% and 300% of the federal poverty level, will eliminate coverage for about 4,000 beneficiaries beginning July 1, county officials confirmed Wednesday, the Oakland Tribune reports. Based on length of time enrolled in the program, the county will maintain health coverage for about 2,000 of the 6,000 people currently enrolled in the program. The health plan was originally limited to 2,000 beneficiaries but expanded to 6,000 beneficiaries last year. Alameda Alliance for Health, which administers the program, began using its reserve funds to pay for the program. County Board of Supervisors President Gail Steele said the county "made a big commitment to Family Care because we know the need is there, but the problem is it's just too expensive," adding that the county's $140 million budget deficit is "just horrendous." Letters to the 4,000 beneficiaries who are being dropped from the plan will be sent April 1. Before losing coverage, beneficiaries will be allowed to fill a 100-day supply of prescriptions instead of the usual 30-day supply. The 3,000 people who had been on a waiting list for the program already have been notified that they will not be accepted (Vesely, Oakland Tribune, 3/25).
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