|
HOME > ABOUT > PRESS > YOLO SPREADS OUT INDIGENT CARE COSTS
Article published - October 3, 2008
Credit: SACRAMENTO BUSINESS JOURNAL
Yolo spreads out indigent care costs
County takes control of private-public partnership after costs skyrocket
By Kathy Robertson
 |
Betsy Meux, a physician at CommuniCare Health Clinics, right, talks with patient Jerry Wright. CommuniCare’s funding was cut nearly in half under the restructured plan.
- Photo by Dennis McCoy | Sacramento Business Journal |
A public-private partnership in Yolo County to provide care for the medically indigent was restructured to deal with fast-rising costs.
The county tab for care through the Yolo Health Alliance in the fiscal year ended June 30 soared to $6.4 million, from $4.3 million the previous year, after the county agreed to share risk for the program with Sutter Davis Hospital.
Unable to manage the rising cost amid deep cuts in state funding, the Board of Supervisors approved a plan Tuesday for the county to take control of the 14-year-old program and shave expenses to $3.99 million in fiscal year 2008-09.
The plan expands responsibility for indigent health care in Yolo County by bringing additional providers on board, including Kaiser Permanente and rural clinics in Winters and Esparto. More specialty doctors are expected to participate, too.
|
