Residents in Rural Areas of
Northern California Will Benefit from Education and Outreach About the Federal
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
A partnership between
Covered California™ and Sierra Health Foundation is providing nearly $1.5
million in grants to help educate consumers in Northern California about the state’s
new health insurance marketplace.
Covered California is
contributing $1,050,000, and Sierra Health Foundation is adding $400,000, to
fund three organizations that will show consumers how they can access affordable
health care coverage under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act. Their outreach and education efforts will focus on 24 mostly rural
counties in Northern California.
“We appreciate Sierra Health
Foundation’s commitment to help Covered California reach Northern California
consumers who may benefit from premium assistance,” Covered California Deputy
Director of Community Relations Sarah Soto-Taylor said. “Together our
partnership will reach more than 110,000 consumers in the most remote parts of
Northern California and help ensure the successful implementation of Covered California’s
outreach and education campaign.”
“Sierra Health Foundation is
pleased to partner with Covered California to ensure that all uninsured
individuals and families in the Sacramento region and rural Northern California
are aware of the array of health insurance coverage options, including financial
assistance with premiums, that are available to them,” said Chet Hewitt, Sierra
Health Foundation president and CEO. “This partnership will focus outreach
efforts in our funding region, complement our effort to strengthen the region’s
safety net and provide needed resources in rural counties.”
The grant recipients are:
- California Family Resource Association (fiscal agent Prevent Child Abuse California) — $600,000
- Healthy Community Forum for the Greater Sacramento Region — $600,000
- Women’s Health Specialists — $250,000
The grants are part of
Covered California’s broader outreach and education strategy, which includes
$43 million in grants. Covered California has awarded $37 million in grants to
50 community-based organizations to reach nearly 9 million individuals and more
than 200,000 small businesses in the state. The 50 lead grantees subcontracted with
more than 200 organizations to reach consumers where they live, work, shop and play.
About Covered California
Covered California is the
state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Covered California was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace
in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health
insurance plans. With coverage starting in 2014, Covered California will help
individuals compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best
for their health needs and budget. A sliding scale of financial subsidies in
the form of premium assistance will be available to help reduce costs for
people who qualify.
Small businesses will be
able to purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their
employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for
federal tax credits.
Covered California is an
independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market
work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed
by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information on Covered California,
please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
About Sierra Health
Foundation
Sierra Health Foundation is
a private philanthropy with a mission to invest in and serve as a catalyst for
ideas, partnerships and programs that improve health and quality of life in
Northern California. The foundation is committed to improving health outcomes
and reducing health disparities in the region through convening, educating and
strategic grant making.
