L.A. Care Health Plan

After an incredible journey of service and leadership, John Baackes will retire as CEO of L.A. Care at the end of 2024. Baackes, who brought decades of health care experience, joined L.A. Care in 2015. Since then, L.A. Care has emerged as a national leader in equitable health care for low-income patients and community transformation. From launching a direct network of dedicated physicians to establishing a quality rating system for providers and growing our L.A. Care/Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Centers throughout L.A. County, Baackes has been at the forefront of change.?? During his time at L.A. Care, Baackes addressed the physician shortage in L.A. County by working with the Board of Governors to launch the $205 million "Elevating the Safety Net" initiative. This groundbreaking program offers full medical school scholarships, medical school loan repayments, recruitment grants and more to ensure we have highly-qualified primary care physicians serving our community. ???? We are immensely grateful for Baackes’ visionary leadership and commitment to our mission. As L.A. Care’s Board of Governors embarks on the search for his successor, the board is committed to finding a dynamic leader who will continue his impactful legacy and who will carry on Baackes’ tradition of responding to the community’s most urgent health care needs. Read more: https://spr.ly/6048wQNMC #LACare #JohnBaackes #Leadership #LACounty

L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California are working to keep the community safe and prepare for the anticipated peak season of respiratory illnesses this winter by hosting their first vaccine clinic today at the Community Resource Center in Norwalk. COVID-19 and flu vaccines were made available to the community. ???? The clinics will continue at other Community Resource Center locations throughout L.A. County. Telemundo 52 shares more: https://spr.ly/6041WFN7Z #LACare #COVID #GetVaccinated

Yesterday at the @State-of-Reform 2024 Southern California Health Policy Conference, John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, delivered a keynote address on L.A. Care’s efforts to improve health policy in the region and shared insights on the future of health care in California.???? Baackes highlighted L.A. Care’s initiatives to address Medi-Cal’s low reimbursement rates and the staffing challenges this creates. He also shared details of the Elevating the Safety Net initiative, which supports future and new physicians working in underserved communities in L.A. County through scholarships, grants, and loan repayments. Read more about the event below: https://spr.ly/6040Wvclw #LACare #MediCal #HealthCarePolicy

In an effort to keep the community safe this flu and COVID-19 season, L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan are offering free, walk-in flu and COVID-19 vaccines at 7 Community Resource Centers across LA County from Sept 13 - Nov 8! ???? As the winter months bring more respiratory viruses and with current cases rising, John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care emphasizes that “now is the time to strengthen our community's health by ensuring everyone is vaccinated, reducing the strain on our healthcare system, and protecting the most vulnerable among us.” Learn more of our events below: https://spr.ly/6046Wv5Wi #LACare #Flu #COVID

?? Meet Monica Valle, one of our inspiring #ElevatingTheSafetyNet medical school scholars! ?? Monica is one of eight students awarded a full-ride medical school scholarship, allowing her to pursue her passion for medicine without the burden of debt. She is ecstatic and truly grateful to be in the medical field. Monica takes pride in representing those who look like her and those who may not have a voice, coming from disadvantaged communities. She’s committed to making a difference where it's needed the most. Four of our 2024 L.A. Care Elevating the Safety Net Scholars, including Monica, will attend Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, which recently launched its own independent medical school—supported in part by a $5 million grant from L.A. Care. ?? L.A. Care’s initiative not only increases the number of physicians in the healthcare safety net but also enhances diversity within L.A. County’s physician workforce, improving health outcomes in communities of color. We are incredibly proud to support Monica on her journey! ?? Want to learn more about the eight scholars? Click here: https://spr.ly/6045WUVzb #HealthcareHeroes #LACare #DiversityInMedicine #MedicalScholarship #CommunityImpact #FutureDoctors #CDU #HealthEquity #CommunityHealth #InspiringStories #ESNScholar #ESN #HealthcareHeroes #LACare

?? Take Control of Your Diabetes — Your Health Will Thank You! ?? We’re sharing important tips to help you manage your diabetes for a healthier, happier you. ?? Key Steps to Stay on Top of Your Health: ?? Monitor Your Blood Pressure regularly. ?? Check Your Blood Sugar levels daily. ?? Schedule Your Annual Diabetic Retinal Eye Exam — it takes only 20 minutes and can detect early vision changes. Early treatment protects your sight! ?? Don’t Forget Your Yearly Kidney Health Evaluation — two simple tests (blood and urine) give a clear picture of your kidney health. ?? Take the next steps in managing your diabetes today! For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/gD28vyDU

John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care, recently spoke with Bernard J. Wolfson at KFF Health News about the significant Medi-Cal changes he’s overseen while leading L.A. Care’s 2.6 million members. From tackling challenges to driving innovation, Baackes has played a pivotal role in reshaping healthcare for LA's most vulnerable populations.???? Read more at the California Healthline below: https://spr.ly/6047W5Dg7 #LACare #MediCal #HealthLeadership

This year, Project Angel Food Angel Awards will recognize L.A. Care Health Plan and our CEO, John Baackes, with the Sheryl Lee Ralph Legacy Award. We’re proud to accept an award showcasing L.A. Care’s work in advancing health equity in our communities! ????Read more from the Beverly Press and Park Labrea Newsbelow. https://spr.ly/6043W5BZv #LACare #ProjectAngelFood #Leadership

L.A. Care Health Plan and HealthNet are investing $90 million in two new programs to support over 85,000 unhoused Angelenos. The programs aim to increase access to medical care for those experiencing homelessness.?? John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care, says, “the program is designed to develop a countywide network of primary care providers who can provide that medical home and all the services associated with high-quality primary care in a way that will be easier for individuals experiencing homelessness to access.” Amairani Hernandez with CALó News shares more on our latest announcement! Read below. https://spr.ly/6046WKc0A #LACare #Homelessness #HealthEquity

L.A. Care is proud to partner with HealthNet to launch two major programs with a combined $90 million investment over the next five years to improve access to essential medical services for people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. ???? These programs will provide coordinated care, harm reduction services, onsite specialty medical care in Skid Row, and more. MMIT (Managed Markets Insight & Technology) shares more below. https://spr.ly/6040W1IbM #LACare #Homelessness #HealthPlan