.jpg)
CONTRA COSTA CO., Calif. (KCBS) -- There is a push in Contra Costa County to strengthen the health care safety net in the face of budget cuts.
KCBS’ Melissa Culross Reports
"More and more people are coming into all health care providers in Contra Costa County without health insurance," said Contra Costa County Health Director Dr. Bill Walker, who calls Contra Costa County "ground zero" in the foreclosure crisis. "There's been a huge increase in county health clinic utilization by the uninsured, and there's been a huge increase in the community clinics and also local emergency departments."
With state budget cuts looming, counties like Contra Costa have taken it upon themselves to strengthen the health services safety net to meet the needs of the poor and uninsured. Strategies to meet increasing demand for services include clinics changing appointment policies to accommodate more patients.
Dr. Walker adds that even with potential national healthcare reform on the way, there is no time to waste in addressing the needs of the uninsured.
"We have decided that we can't wait for the federal government, much less the state to fix the problem," said Walker. "We've all got to step up. It's a community responsibility to try to figure out how to at least have primary care access available to all who need it."
Medi-Cal applications have increased by more than 75 percent in Contra Costa County , where unemployment could reach 12 percent.
(MGO)
E-Mail Story
Print Story
DW.pageParams = {
siteId: '255'
};
DW.clear();
DW.trackClicks();
