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Board unanimously approves ordinance letting CalOptima pursue Covered California participation
Summary
After provider and hospital executives testified, the Board of Supervisors adopted a second‑reading ordinance allowing CalOptima to seek participation in Covered California, with board members securing commitments to focus outreach on the population that moves in and out of Medi‑Cal.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 unanimously adopted an ordinance authorizing CalOptima to pursue participation in Covered California, a move the board and health‑system representatives said is intended to reduce coverage churn and preserve continuity of care for vulnerable residents.
Physician Dr. Dylan Tran and KPC Health CEO Peter Baranoff, whose organizations treat thousands of CalOptima members, described how gaps in eligibility can force chronically ill patients to emergency departments. “Joining Covered California will provide much‑needed community care for our patients by ensuring that we can continue to provide important medical services regardless of changes in income that cause members to lose their eligibility,” Dr. Tran said.
Supervisor Janet Wynne and others pressed CalOptima leadership for commitments that outreach would prioritize residents who move in and out of Medi‑Cal. A CalOptima representative confirmed the agency’s guiding principles will target that “churn” population and that CalOptima’s steering committee has approved outreach principles to focus on continuity rather than broad expansion.
Board members moved and seconded the second reading of the ordinance and adopted it without amendments after receiving those commitments. Supervisors said they expect staff and CalOptima to report back on outreach plans and to ensure state and local funding are used to preserve provider networks and continuity for existing Medi‑Cal populations.
Next steps: CalOptima will proceed with the Covered California process and the board asked for updates on targeted outreach and how the program will be funded and measured.
