Over the past 20 years, L.A. Care has grown from a small, start-up health plan into the largest publicly operated health plan in the country. L.A. Care's nearly 2,000 employees, network of over 22,000 providers and three subcontracted health plan partners now serve more than two million Los Angeles County residents. L.A. Care's trajectory provides a unique perspective on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and how its expanded access to care has brought much-needed health coverage to millions of people both locally and around the country. In 2017, our role has become more critical as our elected leaders reexamine the ACA and the Medicaid program (Medi-Cal in California), which may have far-reaching consequences for the 20 million Americans who gained health insurance coverage through the ACA.
Amid all the uncertainty, my commitment to our members and our stakeholders is that L.A. Care will have a strong voice at the table where discussions about these changes are taking place in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Our members are among the most vulnerable people in Los Angeles County and often the least able to influence our political system. No matter what happens to the ACA, it is my priority to ensure we preserve access to care for the millions of individuals and families we serve who have made Los Angeles the vibrant place it is today
L.A. Care has successfully navigated two decades of an ever-evolving health care system and regardless of the changes to come, our priorities will remain the same. L.A. Care will not be deterred from our mission to make quality health care accessible to vulnerable populations and to strengthen the health care safety net that serves them.
John Baackes, CEO
L.A. Care Health Plan