 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Mario Ramos, MA, Executive Community Advisory Committee Chair, L.A. Care Health Plan, 555 W. Fifth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013, 213-694-1250 ext 4112, dandalon@lacare.org and Cynthia J. Conteas, RN, MPA, South Bay Perinatal Access Project, 1124 West Carson St., Torrance, CA 90502.
L. A. Care Health Plan is a non-profit, community accountable health maintenance organization that serves over 800,000 residents of L A. County who participate in the Medi-Cal and Healthy Families (California’s Medicaid and SCHIP) programs. L.A. Care’s mission is to help its members receive quality health care from doctors and other medical professionals who understand and respect them. To provide an opportunity for its consumer members to act as true stakeholders, L. A. Care has designated 11 regional areas within the county. L.A. Care’s Regional Community Advisory Committees (RCACs) have changed policy specific to member needs. The RCACs serve as the forum for L. A. Care members, member advocates, and medical providers to discuss issues related to health care services and needs. Additionally, monthly meetings are an opportunity to plan collaborative regional health promotion activities germane to regional needs. Each of the chairpersons of the 11 RCACs serve on the Executive Community Advisory Committee (ECAC), which also meets monthly. Concerns discussed at RCAC meetings by members are brought to the ECAC by the local chairperson. The ECAC helps resolve local concerns or may take requests for policy change to the Board of Governors. The governance structure at L.A. Care allows for a reciprocal flow of information from its members, to the Board of Governors. By this method an avenue of direct communication is made available for members and their needs.
Learning Objectives:
Related Web page: www.lacare.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.