WHAT'S HAPPENING VIM!

With the expansion of MediCal eligibility in January of this year allowing anyone between the ages of 22 and 56 to apply for MediCal regardless of immigration status, I am frequently asked: “Why is there still a need for VIM services?” The first reason is that VIM sets the annual maximum income requirement at 200% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL), whereas Medi-Cal sets their requirement at 138%. That difference allows some who earn too much to qualify for Medi-Cal to still qualify for our services. A family of one applying for care at VIM is still limited to $30,120 annually (vs $20,783 for Medi-Cal) or $62,400 for a family of four (vs $46,800 for Medi-Cal). Another reason is that as many as 80% of VIM patients work more than one job, yet they are in jobs that do not offer health insurance, or they work for employers who do not offer health insurance for their employees. Paying for insurance privately, even with a subsidy, is not feasible for these patients. To do so would mean taking food from their table, fuel for their car and even the ability to use their air conditioning or not. And, if any of these employed patients lose their job, they are not likely to extend their health coverage through COBRA, or to purchase a subsidized insurance plan, such as those from Covered California. It is simply money they do not have. Finally, at VIM we have many patients who do not work outside of their home. They are primary caregivers for their children or an elderly parent, disabled sibling or other family member. Oftentimes their spouse is employed, and may even have health insurance, but they can’t afford to insure family members through the spouse’s plan or to purchase other insurance. At VIM we believe healthcare is a human right and while we know we aren’t changing the world, we are making it a healthier place for the 1,000 Valley residents we care for each year and the more than 5,000 residents we have cared for since opening our doors in 2010. Thank you for being a part of our effort to ensure everyone has access to affordable and quality healthcare. Your support – volunteer and financial – makes everything we do possible, and we couldn’t do it without you.