As we move deeper into fall, I’d like to share an update on our recent listening sessions and a new HASC resource to help communities prepare for the changes ahead.
HASC’s listening sessions initiative has now concluded. Across Southern California, we heard from hospital leaders, health plans, other healthcare stakeholders and Medi-Cal-eligible residents. Participants spoke about their challenges with coverage and access to care, and with trying to navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system.
One message came through consistently: People need clear, accessible communication from sources they trust. Residents shared their confusion about Medi-Cal eligibility requirements and renewal processes, and about the coverage changes they may face. They also highlighted the important role of trusted partners such as hospitals, healthcare providers, churches and community organizations in helping them find their way.
HASC is currently synthesizing the findings into a full report to share with members and partners. At the same time, we realized the importance of acting as soon as possible.
Along those lines, I’m pleased to introduce HASC’s Keep Your Coverage toolkit, a new resource for member hospitals and community partners. The toolkit is directly informed by what we heard in the listening sessions. It’s designed to help organizations communicate important Medi-Cal coverage changes, dates and new rules to the communities they serve.
Our hope is that the toolkit offers hospitals an immediate hands-on resource to help patients understand upcoming changes and take steps to keep their coverage. It includes customizable, white-labeled social media assets in English and Spanish. Hospitals and community partners can add their own branding and share consistent, accessible information through their existing communication channels.
This resource is one piece of our broader response to the findings, and much more work lies ahead. HASC will continue doing what we can to support our hospitals and communities in the coming months as we all face these changes together. I look forward to keeping you informed as our efforts progress.
Take care and stay safe.
George G.