Stay Covered and Keep Healthy PSA Campaign
San Fernando Community Health Center Launches Broadcast PSA to Help Low-Income Medi-Cal Patients Keep Their Health Coverage
(San Fernando, Calif. – May 30, 2023) – Now that the COVID-19 public health emergency is over, San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC) is joining a statewide effort to help low-income families keep their Medi-Cal health coverage by launching a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign titled “Stay covered and keep healthy.”
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid healthcare program that provides free or low-cost doctor visits, prescriptions, vaccinations, hospital visits and mental health services to children and adults with limited income and resources. For the first time in three years, the normal Medi-Cal renewal process is in effect. This means approximately 13 million people in California, or one-third of the state’s population, are at risk of losing their health coverage unless they take extra steps requalify over the next 12 months.
The 30-second radio and television PSAs, available in both English and Spanish, inform Medi-Cal patients how to keep themselves and their families covered by taking specific actions. These include updating their contact information with the county, checking their mailbox for a letter about Medi-Cal, returning their renewal form right away, and signing up for details and alerts at www.dhcs.ca.gov.
“During the pandemic, the federal government enabled people to keep continuous Medi-Cal coverage without proving eligibility,” said SFCHC CEO Audrey Simons. “Over the next year, patients will have to submit forms verifying their address, income, household size and other personal information. Many could lose their health coverage if they fail to respond or complete the required forms. As a federally qualified community health center, our mission is to empower the most vulnerable and underserved members of our community to access medical, dental, behavioral health and education services in a compassionate environment.”
The PSAs are available at the links below. For more information, visit the Department of Health Care Services website at www.dhcs.ca.gov.
About SFCHC
SFCHC has been a trusted, patient-centered medical home for the community since 1924. SFCHC’s designation as a federally qualified health center allows it to provide state-of-the art health care services, prevention and education regardless of an individual’s income, insurance status or ability to pay. Dedicated to providing quality care to every person, particularly the most vulnerable and underserved, SFCHC operates at two locations. Its main 17,100-square-foot facility in San Fernando provides primary, dental and behavioral health care, as well as case management and health education. Its additional 1,500-square-foot facility in Mission Hills is co-located with Harbor Recuperative Care Center (HRCC) that provides housing for homeless community members recently released from local acute care hospitals. For more information, visit www.sfchealthcenter.org.
Media Contact
Stacy Geere at 661.253.1059 or stacy@thegeeregroup.com
