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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing Partnership HealthPlan of California, and Chief Executive Officer Sonja Bjork, for 30 years of service to the community (Supervisor Vasquez)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing Partnership HealthPlan of California, and Chief Executive Officer Sonja Bjork, for 30 years of service to the community.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
During the late 1980’s there were very few clinics and physicians in Solano County who accepted Medi-Cal, resulting in a reliance on the County’s hospital emergency rooms as the primary source of healthcare for the uninsured. The origin of Partnership HealthPlan dates back to this time and began when a broad base of community organizations focused on healthcare needs formed the Solano Coalition for Better Health. The Solano Coalition for Better Health, with support from Solano County, entered into a contract in 1992 with the State of California to serve Medi-Cal beneficiaries as the Solano Health Partnership, a County Organized Health System which began operations in 1994.
In 1998, the Solano Health Partnership expanded into Napa County and changed its name to Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC). Since its founding, PHC has grown from serving 40,000 members in Solano County in the first year, to serving over 900,000 members in 24 counites across Northern California in 2024.
Sonja Bjork, Chief Executive Officer, joined PHC in 1994 in the member services department to assist the community with healthcare access, and has held many roles including Grievance Coordinator, Director of Policy and Program Development, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Operating Officer where she directed the strategic investment of PHC’s $280 million health plan reserves. Ms. Bjork currently serves as a commissioner on the national Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission, a non-partisan legislative branch agency that provides policy and data analysis and makes recommendations to Congress, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and States on a wide array of issue related to Medicaid and the State CHIP.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials and plaque are included in the Board’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt and present the resolution; however, Partnership HealthPlan of California originated in Solano County and is the primary managed care plan to 100,000 Solano County residents and Ms. Sonja Bjork has dedicated 30 years to PHC’s efforts.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Partnership HealthPlan of California collaborated with the County on the development of the resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION