Fourteen California Providers Earn Grants to Improve Health Care Access for People with Disabilities
Date: 03/01/21
Funding is part of Health Net's commitment to health equity and its Provider Accessibility Initiative
Woodland Hills, CA (March 1, 2021) – Dedicated to providing equal access to quality health care, Health Net has partnered with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) to award 14 providers in the Los Angeles, Sacramento, Tulare, Imperial and Butte counties with grants to make their facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.
"The barriers that people with disabilities face can be daunting. In a healthcare setting, these patients often do not have the same access to care as others," said Dr. Ramiro Zuniga, Vice President, and Medical Director for Medi-Cal at Health Net. "Providing quality care to all members is our top priority, which is why we're proud to partner with NCIL to award these grants. We believe this initiative can help bridge the divide, paving the way for better access to healthcare for all Californians."
Health Net awarded a total of $100,000 in grants to Los Angeles, Sacramento, Tulare, Imperial and Butte county providers. Grantees are approved to use their new funding in a variety of ways to increase access. These options include:
- Removal of physical barriers that make access to their facilities easier
- Purchase of adaptive equipment, including accessible examination tables and chairs
- Production of accessible formats of printed materials
- Purchase of equipment to reduce auditory or visual distractions for members with autism or other developmental disabilities
The following provider offices received a grant through this initiative:
- Man Vuong-Dac, M.D.
- Saban Community Clinics (3 locations)
- Elica Health Centers (6 locations)
- Virender S. Kaleka, M.D. (Dinuba Rural Health & Orosi Rural Health)
- Altura Centers for Health
- Garfield Health Center
- Northeast Valley Health Corporation (4 locations)
- Serra Community Medical Clinic
- St. John's Well Child and Family Center
- De Novo Health Center
- Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles (FHCCGLA)
- Durfee Family Care Medical Group
- Dr. Toni Johnson-Chavis Pediatrics
- Heidi Winler, M.D. – Community Pediatric Clinic, Inc.
The funding is part of Health Net's Physical Accessibility Survey (PARS)/Provider Accessibility Initiative (PAI) designed to support Californians with disabilities. The Physical Accessibility Review Survey program has been a regulatory requirement in California since 2011.
More information about the grants and the provider accessibility initiative.
About Health Net
At Health Net, we believe every person deserves a safety net for their health, regardless of age, income, employment status or current state of health. Founded 40 years ago, we remain dedicated to transforming the health of our community, one person at a time. Today, Health Net's 3,000 employees and 85,000 network providers serve more than 3 million members. That's nearly 1 in 12 Californians. We provide health plans for individuals, families, businesses of every size, people with Medicare and people with Medi-Cal — Coverage for Every Stage of Life™. Health Net also offer access to substance abuse programs, behavioral health services, employee assistance programs and managed health care products related to prescription drugs. We offer these health plans and services through Health Net, LLC and its subsidiaries: Health Net of California, Inc., Health Net Life Insurance Company and Health Net Community Solutions, Inc. These entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a Fortune 100 company providing health coverage to more than 20 million Americans. For more information, visit HealthNet.com.