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Imperial Establishes IVCHO and Approves Business Plan
by Bobbie Wunsch
Community Systems Consultant
Based on a philosophy that: 1) Health care is a local product critical to the physical, mental and economic well-being of the Valley; 2) Health care decisions should be made locally, guided by a diverse group of stakeholders; 3) Improvements in community health status are best achieved through collaboration; 4) Special efforts must be made to improve access for uninsured, underinsured and underserved in the community; 5) Managed care and other health financing mechanisms should be tailored to the unique needs of the Imperial Valley; and 6) Important health issues and concerns should be discussed in a community forum; the Imperial Valley Healthcare Advisory Council (IVHAC) together with its constituent organizations agreed unanimously on July 27th, 1999 to establish the Imperial Valley Community Health Organization (IVCHO) as a California private non-profit corporation and to seek 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the IRS. The mission of the new IVCHO is to maximize health care opportunities for the community by providing a locally-owned administrative services organization which is a collaborative of health care providers, employers and the public dedicated to improving access to existing health care services and reducing the number of uninsured individuals through valley wide administrative coordination. The goals of the IVCHO are: “ to bring additional financial resources to support the work of health care providers and community-based agencies; to improve quality and cost effectiveness of health services through administrative coordination and medical management; to enhance local capacity to administer and manage health care financial risk; to reduce patient out-migration by 10% by the year 2003; to contribute to health status improvement by collaborating with appropriate health and human services agencies to develop programs to reduce the incidence of unintentional injuries and tuberculosis by 10% by 2003; and to assure community-wide participation in forums to discuss community health issues.” IVCHO plans to accomplish its mission and goals through the following four core functions:
- the provision of general administrative services to health care providers and agencies;
- community outreach services;
- managed care services; and
- the facilitation of community grant related programs.
The Council also approved articles of incorporation as well as an eleven member Board of Directors. The mix of constituent seats on the Board of Directors includes the major health care and employer stakeholders in the community who have been involved in the IVHAC since its inception. On August 13th, 1999 the IVCHO was officially incorporated with operations beginning immediately through contracted services with the Imperial Valley Health Resource Authority (IVHRA). In celebration of the commencement of the Imperial County DRIS project to Phase III Implementation, a reception will be held at the IVHRA offices September 15th, 1999 at 6:00 pm.
© CIRHM