After expanding health care to lower-income residents through the Affordable Care Act and other programs, Supervisor Simitian grew increasingly concerned about the “missing middle”, residents who did not benefit from government programs or could not afford the premiums and co-pays for their employer-provided insurance. With this in mind, Simitian worked closely with County administration to create programs that subsidize health care and mental health costs for residents.
The County initially launched a program to help residents seeking medically necessary care at County-run hospitals and clinics. It benefits families making up to $170,000 on a sliding scale, with those making below $105,000 receiving a full subsidy.
In 2021, the Board approved a program expansion to include a family of four making less than $106,000 to be eligible for health care services at community health centers throughout the County.
In 2022, the Board approved the creation of a pilot program to ensure the “missing middle” have access to outpatient mental health treatment.
