Elica Health Centers Able to Retain Four Physicians Serving Low Income, Multi-Ethnic Communities Thanks to $90,000 Grant from Health Net

Date: 11/14/24

Sacramento, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2024) – Health Net, one of California's most experienced Medi-Cal managed care health plans and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced today that it has awarded a $90,000 grant to Elica Health Centers (Elica) to support the recruitment and retention of physicians who serve the needs of low-income, multi-ethnic populations throughout the greater Sacramento area.

"A strong physician workforce is critical to providing access to quality healthcare for the communities we serve," said Amber Kemp, Vice President, Medi-Cal Strategy, Execution and Engagement at Health Net. "We are proud to continue to support Elica Health Centers in their efforts to address the growing provider shortage so they may continue to provide irreplaceable healthcare services for some of our most vulnerable Sacramentans."

As Elica continues their rapid growth, they, like other community-based healthcare organizations, must contend with the continued provider shortage in the Sacramento service area. Currently, the company has 11 fixed-location health centers and four mobile clinics serving low-income patients in Sacramento and Yolo counties.

"Elica Health Centers is grateful for Health Net's continued support of our work to provide comprehensive, integrated primary care to tens of thousands of low-income, underserved people in our community," said David Hughes, Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer at Elica Health Centers. "In fact, the grant has already helped retain and financially assist four physicians, including our first-ever optometrist. In this challenging environment, Health Net's support is invaluable."

This grant is a continuation of Health Net's support for Elica. The health plan awarded a $100,000 grant to support the coordination, infrastructure and expansion of the clinic's street medicine services. Health Net also awarded $100,000 to support the re-opening of Elica's Community Closet and Food Pantry, which provides free canned and dry foods, clothing, translation, Medi-Cal enrollment assistance and other services.

Elica also received more than $33,000 which enabled the hiring of additional staff to support a larger population; increased program support for initiatives related to children and youth; and provided additional tools needed to provide quality Enhanced Care Management services. Health Net has awarded Elica more than $360,000 since 2022 to support the improvement and expansion of initiatives that help ensure the health and wellness of Sacramentans.

In fact, since 2020, Health Net has awarded more than $5.3 million to various organizations throughout Sacramento County that aim to increase the health of the communities they serve. These efforts have resulted in many positive outcomes, including:

• Upgraded infrastructure for providers with essential improvements to better serve the Medi-Cal population
• Improved quality measures related to Emergency Department visits, depressions screenings and follow-up care, homeless comprehensive diabetic care and more
• Expanded staff availability through strategic hiring and training