Monterey County looks to improve access to health care

Monterey County will look at ways to provide full-scope health insurance to about 60,000 uninsured residents in the county.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to organize a committee designated to finding ways to expand health services to the uninsured – about 30,000 are undocumented.

The Ad Hoc Committee to find Health Care Coverage for All is expected to bring back recommendations within 4 to 6 months.

The expanded health insurance plan was strongly supported by Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action (COPA).

The group said similar programs in other counties have cost more than $3 million a year to insure approximately 11,000 people.

46 other counties in California have similar programs aimed at shrinking the gap between the insured and uninsured.