The California Health Care Foundation has released its latest Regional Market Report on the Inland Empire, offering updated data and insights on population health, access to care, workforce capacity, and system performance across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
CHCF hosted a timely conversation that examined how economic pressures, workforce initiatives, CalAIM implementation, and recent federal policy changes — including the impact of H.R. 1 — are shaping the region’s health care landscape. Speakers brought real‑world context to the data and discuss where progress is being made, where challenges remain, and what risks may threaten recent gains.
Watch the Recording
What the event focused on:
- New regional data reveal about the Inland Empire market, including trends and benchmarks in population health indicators
- How recent federal policy changes, including H.R. 1, are affecting health care financing and access across the region
- What major workforce initiatives have meant for the Inland Empire — and where shortages and gaps persist
- How CalAIM services are being implemented across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
Speakers
- Megan Barajas, MPA, Inland Empire at the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC)
- Kara Carter, MBA, MSc, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Programs, California Health Care Foundation
- Dolores L. Green, MBA, Inland Empire Health Information Organization
- Marian Mulkey, MPP, MPH, Independent Consultant
- Thomas Pham, MPH, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)
- Kristof Stremikis, MPP, MPH, Director of Market Analysis and Insight team, California Health Care Foundation
- Denis Vega, MBA, Community Health Systems, Inc. (CHSI)
Dive Deeper: Read the Full Report
More than four in 10 Inland Empire residents rely on Medi‑Cal for health coverage, even as commercial coverage has declined slightly in recent years. Reflecting this growing reliance on public insurance, community health centers have continued to expand both locations and services. Hospitals and physician groups remain relatively unconcentrated, with some adjusting service lines and strategies in response to payer incentives.
Efforts to expand access and address physical and behavioral health needs show promise, but looming federal and state budget cuts and policy changes threaten recent gains.
Looking Beyond the Inland Empire Region?
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