Healthcare for the undocumented on the Central Coast
A new development for a pilot program already helping undocumented immigrants get access to healthcare in Monterey County.
Now county leaders are moving ahead with a plan to expand access to care.
Staff with the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council say this is an important move for a program that’s been progressing over the past two years.
They say this new expansion could provide more help for those who are uninsured, and may save taxpayers money.
The yet-to-be named pilot program in Monterey County aims to bring healthcare to uninsured undocumented immigrants.
Right now it provides limited access to services, but Tuesday night, the Board of Supervisors decided to go forward with a plan to reach more people.
“It would expand primary care, add specialty care to the pilot program and expand the level of services as well as the number of individuals that might be covered under this pilot program.” said Jesus Valenzuela, the Health Equity Organizer with the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council.
Right now, some pharmacy and lab services are being covered by the program at seven clinics.
Supervisor Luis Alejo says the money to pay for those costs is coming from the county’s general fund.
Those benefiting say more comprehensive coverage would help immensely
“Thank goodness, they are going to help us now.” said Veronica Torres a Salinas resident that benefits from the project. “There are so many undocumented people out there, people who suffer with diabetes and other illnesses that are very dangerous.”
If the program is expanded, it will cost the county an estimated 2 million dollars.
Alejo says the expansion would be an investment, preventing more trips to the emergency room and saving the county money down the line.
“It’s costing those hospitals enormous amounts of money and taxpayers are footing that bill” said Alejo. “It does make more sense to put a little bit of money in and allow this type of pilot program that’s managed through our local clinics and more affordable ways to provide services.”
Services that Jesus Valenzuela says everyone should receive.
“Healthcare is a human right, it is a human issue it is something that folks are very emotional about.”
The plan for the the expansion of the Pilot Program has to come back to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. At that point they will decide where the funding for it will come from.
