IEHP, California Community College system and San Bernardino Community College District launch health care access program for eligible students

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), the California Community College system and the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) are partnering to connect local college students to low-cost, high-quality health care and CalFresh programs. Known as the Inland Empire Health Plan Equitable Support Demonstration Project, the collaboration is the first of its kind and will serve as a pilot program for other counties across the state.

"Having the stability of health care and food safety will aid in keeping students' focus on their academic success rather than having to choose one or the other," said Thomas Pham, IEHP's vice president of strategy. "We hope the success of this partnership allows for more innovative thinking when it comes to strengthening the well-being and quality of life here in the I.E. and across California."

The goals of the partnership are to:

• Enroll all eligible students in Medi-Cal, Covered California and/or CalFresh.
• Strengthen students' equitable access to health care and behavioral health services.
• Strengthen campus infrastructure to provide Medi-Cal eligible services.
• Remove existing barriers to these services.

The initiative is part of several projects identified from the California Community Colleges' Vision 2030: A Roadmap for Community Colleges, a strategic plan that outlines future community college programming and services.

Twelve colleges within nine districts in San Bernardino and Riverside counties serve more than 164,750 students. Of that number, approximately 93,000 students are considered economically disadvantaged.

The San Bernardino Community College District was identified as the blueprint to launch the program after research found many students attending its two campuses—San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino and Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa—self-identify as low-income.

The district serves 20,000 students at both Valley College and Crafton Hills, with nearly eight out of 10 students paying zero tuition fees through need-based financial aid. Both campuses are home to food pantries to address student hunger and other programs that connect them to additional resources such as clothing and housing assistance and career opportunities.

"Our new partnership with Inland Empire Health Plan is a common-sense investment that benefits everyone," said Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez, chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District. "When our students have the health care they need, they're more likely to graduate, join the workforce, and give back to the community. That means healthier families, a stronger local economy, and a workforce ready to support our businesses. It's about building a healthier, more vibrant Inland Empire, one student at a time."

With agreements in place, IEHP and SBCCD will now implement strategies to help integrate Medi-Cal and IEHP Covered into each school's existing enrollment process. This will include on-site registration events and additional services and support through IEHP Enrollment Services.

"By eliminating barriers to much-needed health care, we are continuing to make good on our promise to invest in the continuous well-being of the Inland Empire," said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton.

Learn more about IEHP and its mission to create pathways to optimal health for all, go to iehp.org.

About IEHP

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans, the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid public health plan in the country, and for the fourth year in a row, certified as A Great Place To Work®. Founded in 1996, IEHP supports more than 1.5 million Riverside and San Bernardino County residents enrolled in Medicaid or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). As of 2024, IEHP also offers Covered California plans, further ensuring health care access for even more IE residents. Today, IEHP has a robust network of quality doctors throughout our two counties and nearly 4,000 team members who are fully committed to the vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. To learn more, go to iehp.org.

SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)