| Article |
March 2005
www.oaklandchamber.com
Local health plan’s focus is community
Locally based and operated since January 1996, Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) is a not-for-profit health plan committed to making a difference in the quality and access to health care services for Alameda County residents. The Alliance provides low-cost and no-cost comprehensive health care coverage to more than 92,000 members through Medi-Cal, the Healthy Families Program, and Group Care, a program serving In-Home Supportive Services Workers.
The Alliance’s community partners include a local network of more than 1,100 providers, 16 hospitals, 28 community health centers and more than 145 pharmacies.
The Alliance is governed by an independent board of governors comprised of local providers, labor and community leaders, and plan members who oversee policies and programs that reflect the diverse health care needs of Alameda County residents. "The Alliance strives to be responsive to the community," said Ingrid Lamirault, Alliance’s chief executive officer. "To improve access to quality care, develop new programs and policies, and enhance member and community satisfaction, the Alliance meets regularly with our member advisory and community advisory committees."
Pending state approval, the Alliance will launch Healthy Kids in July 2005. Healthy Kids is part of the Alameda County Children’s Health Initiative, which is working toward increasing the number of kids up to 18 years old with health coverage through a variety of strategies. Healthy Kids will offer comprehensive health, vision and dental coverage to low-income children under age 18, regardless of residency status, who do not qualify for Medi-Cal and the Healthy Families program and have a family income up to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($56,550 for a family of 4). Healthy Kids is a major component of a statewide initiative to build policy momentum to support health coverage expansion to all California’s children.
Ten other counties in California currently offer Healthy Kids and 20 other counties are in the planning stages. In Alameda County, Healthy Kids is supported by grants from The California Endowment, California HealthCare Foundation, Measure A funds, Alameda County Tobacco Settlement funds, Blue Shield of California Foundation, First 5 Alameda County and First 5 California. The Alliance is also seeking additional support for Healthy Kids from businesses and individuals.
"Because lack of health coverage is a problem throughout California and our own county, we must all work together to broaden health coverage and take steps toward an overall solution to this crisis. Through these small incremental steps we can make a difference in health care access for Alameda County children," said Lamirault.
In addition to providing access to health care for county residents, the Alliance’s socially driven mission inspires its employees to participate in numerous charitable activities throughout the year. Lamirault notes, "It’s important to the Alliance to serve the community in other ways, and that’s why we have been involved in supporting organizations such as the Alameda County Food Bank, American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, and the Toys for Tots Program."
The Alliance was created to serve the health care needs of Alameda County residents, promoting community health, and incorporating a comprehensive approach to wellness. Its local focus underscores its community commitment.
For more information on the Alliance programs, call (510) 747-4567, or visit www.alamedaalliance.com. To contribute to Healthy Kids, call (510) 747-4500.
Helping the community
In October, Team Alliance - a group representing Alameda Alliance for Health - participated in the 2004 America’s Walk for Diabetes, a walk-a-thon benefiting the American Diabetes Association. Team Alliance was named the second top fundraising team, collecting a total of $7,163.
The Alliance was represented by more than 40 people, including staff, family members and friends. More than $100,000 was raised through this event to support diabetes research, education and community programs.
The Alliance also provided in-kind support to the American Diabetes Association.