In Home Care Workers will lose their health coverage in April 2010

A letter dated 01/29/2010 from the Health Plan of San Joaquin has stated that In Home Supportive Services(IHSS),


will loose their group health care coverage as of April 30, 2010. The reason for this loss is because according to the HPSJ "[u]nfortunately, with resource constraints at State and County levels , the expansion of the program has not been possible, over time the Healthy Connections program membership level has declined to a level that is not sustainable for a coverage program."

The sad thing about this is the following benefits in 2003 were approximately 35.00, in late 2007 they were raised to 99.40, and the current cost of single coverage is 159.00 (est), in this program there are only a certain amount of available slots for coverage, and once the limit is reached people seeking coverage are put on a waiting list. This program could be sustainable and benefits could be saved if more people were allowed coverage.

According to HPSJ IHSS workers who desperately rely on their health care coverage will loose their benefits as of 04/30/2010 and the contract will canceled, any health care services scheduled after 04/30/2010 will not be covered.

This is sad day for those people who rely on this coverage and who will suffer because of this horrendous decision, motivated by money. Many people may not be able to afford other coverage options or get coverage with other insurance companies due to the condition of their health or be able to meet the requirement of new health care companies matrix or pass their underwriting department.

IHSS workers in this county are paid 9.45 per hour to take care of the most vulnerable people, help them remain in their homes without having to go into rest homes, or lose the ability to remain independent.

I think the HPSJ is motivated by greed or their decision is based upon monetary gain. I feel that if there was some overhaul to the existing contract that a health care coverage program could be sustainable--but it appears it is far more lucrative to leave hundreds or possibly thousands without insurance or the ability to get or afford the astronomical cost of cobra or some other type option.

Just another example of our county, and the people who run it of taking from those who have the least to give, and ensuring those who have the most are able to continue with their lives uninterrupted.

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