L.A. Care Kicks Off Recuperative Care Pilot with National Health Foundation

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- L.A. Care Health Plan has kicked off a new pilot, leasing 16 beds at National Health Foundation's (NHF) new Pico-Union Recuperative Care facility. Recuperative care programs provide immediate housing, on-site medical supervision, case management and supportive social services for patients experiencing homelessness who are transitioning out of an acute-care hospital. With the explosion of homelessness in Los Angeles County, recuperative beds fill a gap on the journey to permanent housing for vulnerable individuals who need a safe place to heal after a hospitalization.

"It is our hope that by offering these beds to a limited number of L.A. Care members, we will be able to illustrate the positive impact on health outcomes," said John Baackes, L.A. Care CEO. "If we can show a cost-savings through decreased readmissions, maybe the state will consider offering funding for these beds."

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released a report earlier this year showing L.A. County has large gaps in nearly every housing intervention, including recuperative care.

"Our partnership with L.A. Care is truly one-of-a-kind. As the first health plan to lease our recuperative care beds, they represent a progressive organization that understands and appreciates the connection between housing and health," said Kelly Bruno, NHF President and CEO. "We are so happy for the support and for validating recuperative care in the continuum. Ultimately, it's a win-win for all; recuperative care will save taxpayer dollars, and clients are more likely to find permanent housing."

This new pilot is a continuation of a partnership between L.A. Care and NHF that goes back more than a decade. Earlier this year, L.A. Care awarded NHF a $150,000 grant to help develop the Pico-Union facility. In 2007, L.A. Care awarded a $500,000 grant to the foundation for another recuperative care infrastructure project in downtown Los Angeles.

About L.A. Care Health Plan
L.A. Care Health Plan serves more than 2.2 million members in Los Angeles County, making it the largest publicly-operated health plan in the country. L.A. Care offers four health coverage plans including Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Covered™, L.A. Care Cal MediConnect and the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Plan, all dedicated to being accountable and responsive to members. As a public entity, L.A. Care's mission is to provide access to quality health care for L.A. County's vulnerable and low-income communities, and to support the safety net required to achieve that purpose.

About National Health Foundation
National Health Foundation is a nonprofit that works within under-resourced Southern California communities to eliminate barriers to health, address the root causes of poor health, and find solutions that lead to lasting change. Embracing the guiding philosophy that health begins where we live, learn, work and play, the organization's advocacy and work focuses on four key areas: housing, food access, built environment and education.

L.A. Care Media Contact
Penny Griego
(213) 694-1250 x 4560
Mobile: (310) 613-8309
[email protected]

National Health Foundation Media Contact
Cindy Monticue
(213) 538-0771
[email protected]

SOURCE National Health Foundation; L.A. Care Health Plan

Related Links

http://www.nhfca.org