Press Release

An $83.8 million funding allocation will expand CalOptima Health’s ability to serve individuals experiencing homelessness in Orange County.
The funding, part of the statewide Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP), will be awarded over two years as CalOptima Health implements a new $40.1 million investment plan. Combined, these funds will amass $123.9 million to launch innovative programs for the community’s most vulnerable.

These HHIP funds (including the $40.1 million) build on CalOptima Health’s investments made over the past two years to bring medical access to people experiencing homelessness both on the street (through contracted Clinical Field Teams) and in shelters (through the Homeless Clinic Access Program). To facilitate further uptake of these services, CalOptima Health has more recently invested in the county’s outreach and engagement services ($7 million), a Homelessness Response Team to provide coordinated support to members experiencing homelessness ($6 million) and launched a more comprehensive Street Medicine program ($8 million).

These partnerships, investments and expanded programs are all driving toward one of CalOptima Health’s strategic goals: reducing health disparities across the county.

“Funding at this level will bring life-changing resources for our community’s most vulnerable,” said Michael Hunn, CalOptima Health Chief Executive Officer. “Individuals experiencing homelessness are likely all eligible CalOptima Health members, whether enrolled or not. We plan to support more in joining Medi-Cal so they can connect to a medical home and receive ongoing care, including housing. Housing is health, and we aim to make a difference in reducing the devastating impact of being unsheltered.”

A county-organized health system, CalOptima Health provides publicly funded health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima Health’s mission is to serve member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. CalOptima Health serves more than 921,000 members with a network of more than 10,500 primary care doctors and specialists and 41 acute and rehab hospitals.