Santa Rosa Community Health Centers Receives Funding to Provide Enrollment Assistance

Santa Rosa Community Health Centers has received a $244,055 grant from the Obama administration to provide support for Santa Rosa Community Health Centers’ patients as they take advantage of new health insurance plan options.

The grant allows SRCHC to hire four new Certified Enrollment Counselors (CECs) and to train five existing CECs to conduct outreach, enrollment, and assistance activities related to the new health care law at health center sites.

While the new health insurance products are meant to help the entire community, the Obama administration recognizes that Santa Rosa Community Health Centers has for many years focused on serving the uninsured and underinsured population. Based on agency estimates, approximately 10,000 of SRCHC's currently uninsured patients will be newly able to access health insurance. SRCHC already has 18,000 patients covered by various state benefit programs, and many of these patients will require assistance with benefit renewal paperwork under the new law. The new grant funds will be used to enroll as many of these patients as possible within a year.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant, as we know it will make a difference in the lives of our patients. Evidence shows that people who have health insurance coverage are significantly more likely to access health care that will help them stay healthy, not just treat sickness. This, in turn, supports a more vibrant community win which youth can thrive, adults can lead productive lives, and our elders receive the care they deserve,” says Naomi Fuchs, Chief Executive Officer.