RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 504 (GREEN) ENACTING THE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2001

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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

WHEREAS, over 44 million people living in the United States do not have health insurance and must obtain their health care from a patchwork of unrelated agencies, including public hospitals, community/rural health centers, faith-based organizations, and a host of other safety net providers;

WHEREAS, studies have found that patients derive improved health benefits and that the health care safety net system operates more efficiently when collaboration occurs among these disparate providers;

WHEREAS, the Health Services Agency of San Mateo County has recently received a Community Access Program (CAP) grant in the amount of $897,773 for the purpose of expanding access to health care for the uninsured through collaborative, community-based initiatives involving local safety net providers;

WHEREAS, the Health Services Agency will use their grant for the following purposes: increase the availability of chronic disease management services to minority populations; provide work place safety and health education to low-income union workers; improve utilization and case management of the medically indigent adult population; integrate the South County Community Health Center in East Palo Alto into the wider system of health care; and maximize enrollment in Medi-Cal and Healthy Families;

WHEREAS, San Mateo County would like to apply for a second year grant, however, future funding for CAP is in jeopardy as it has been slated for elimination in this year's budget;

WHEREAS, HR 504 (Green) would authorize continued funding and expansion of CAP, appropriating $250 million in fiscal years 2002 through 2006; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors supports House Resolution 504 (Green) which would expand CAP and appropriate $250 million for five years to support local efforts to coordinate health care services for the uninsured and underinsured.

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