California counties have a statutory requirement to provide health services to low-income and indigent people with no other source of care, including a population known as medically indigent adults.
Due to variations in local resources and policies, county-sponsored programs for the medically indigent differ throughout the state in their eligibility rules and the scope of benefits provided. This 2007 issue brief, which is based on a survey of county representatives, attempts to document the experience of select California counties by:
- Describing the context in which indigent care programs were funded and operated
- Highlighting financial and delivery issues
- Reporting on objectives and strategies for the future
The survey findings are focused on three approaches being pursued at the time by California counties: tailoring indigent care programs to local needs, offering health insurance to low-wage workers in the state In-Home Supportive Services program, and San Francisco's managed-care coverage model for the adult uninsured. The publication also includes an appendix that provides detailed descriptions of seven county-level programs.
The complete issue brief is available under Document Downloads.