VENICE FAMILY CLINIC WELCOMES PRESIDENT BIDEN’S COMMITMENT TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Executive Order Will Help Secure Continued Health Care Coverage for People in Need in the Midst of a Pandemic

LOS ANGELES – (Jan. 29, 2021) – Following is a statement from Elizabeth Benson Forer, chief executive officer of the Venice Family Clinic, a nonprofit community health center, on President Joseph Biden’s Executive Order today that extended the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“President Biden’s commitment to the ACA brings much relief to community health centers and patients like ours who have lived in fear of attempts to reverse a program that has expanded health care to our patients and people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In addition to providing health care coverage to more than 20 million Americans, the ACA has increased funding in the Community Health Center Fund, which made possible the expansion and enhancement of community health centers, like ours, that provide care to 1 in 11 people in the U.S. by serving the nation’s most vulnerable.

“For our clinic, ACA’s expansion of Medi-Cal meant the percentage of our patients with health insurance more than tripled. That led to more than an 80% increase in investments in health care programs and services, including the expansion of dental and mental health services and on-site pharmacies. Since the ACA was fully implemented, the number of patients we serve has increased by 34%.

“Hospitals and other medical providers also benefitted. A 2017 study found that the uncompensated care costs fell sharply in states that expanded Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) under the ACA. The study estimated $6.2 billion in savings, with the largest savings in states, like California, where the ACA provides coverage for one in three residents through Medi-Cal.

“Venice Family Clinic will continue to advocate to strengthen and expand the ACA so that everyone has access to affordable and comprehensive health care. COVID-19 has made it clear that the health of each person – regardless of their income, immigration status or insurance coverage – helps determine the health of all people.”

About Venice Family Clinic

Venice Family Clinic is a leader in providing comprehensive, high-quality primary health care to people in need. Over the past 50 years, the Clinic has grown from a small storefront operation into one of Los Angeles’ leading community health centers, providing care to 27,000 people annually through 14 sites in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Inglewood, Hawthorne and Culver City. The Clinic leads the way in providing comprehensive and integrated care by creating a one-stop health system that offers multiple services, often at the same locations and same time as primary care appointments. These services include dental care, substance use treatment, mental health services, vision services, child development services, health education, prescription medications, domestic violence counseling, HIV services, street medicine for people experiencing homelessness and health insurance enrollment. For more information, visit VeniceFamilyClinic.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact:
Laura Mecoy
laura@mecoy.net
(310) 529-7717 (Cell)
(310) 546-5860 (Office)