Expanding Healthcare Access through Mobile Clinics
Health Net, a Medi-Cal managed care health plan in California, and the Centene Foundation have joined forces to invest more than $7.2 million in expanding healthcare services for underserved populations. The funding will support the Health Net’s Mobile Outreach for Value, Equity and Sustainability (MOVES) program, which aims to address barriers to healthcare access such as limited transportation and lost wages by delivering preventive screenings and services in community settings.
The MOVES program enables local partners to operate pop-up clinics and mobile medical vans at various community locations, including parks and community events. This initiative is expected to reach thousands of Californians in underserved areas, improving their access to care. Organizations receiving grants include AltaMed, Community Medical Centers, Kaweah Health, and Vision y Compromiso.
“Mobile clinics become vital lifelines in rural or resource-limited areas,” said Dorothy Seleski, Medi-Cal president at Health Net. “By expanding the use of mobile clinics, we can provide preventative care, screenings, health education, and social services directly to the communities that need them most.”
The grants not only aim to extend healthcare reach but also to strengthen relationships between healthcare providers and communities, encouraging earlier intervention and improved health outcomes. By supporting organizations with established community ties, Health Net and the Centene Foundation intend to build sustainable care delivery models.
State Senator Susan Rubio highlighted the importance of such initiatives, recalling her experience as a teacher seeing children come to school sick because their parents couldn’t afford medical care. “I’m grateful to Health Net and the Centene Foundation for investing in solutions that bring care directly into the places where people live, work, and gather,” Rubio said.
This investment is part of Health Net’s broader commitment to community healthcare. Between 2017 and 2024, they committed over $158 million to community-based organizations. Recent investments include a $3.5 million grant to MLK Community Medical Group and a $1 million contribution to aid Los Angeles communities affected by wildfires.
The mobile health clinics represent more than just healthcare delivery; they’re seen as gateways to healthier lives and stronger communities. As Zoila D. Escobar, president of the AltaMed Foundation, noted, “Thanks to Health Net and the Centene Foundation, we can break down barriers that too often prevent people from getting the care they need.”