Health Net's Nancy Wongvipat Kalev Highlights Children's Health at State Health Policy Conference

Date: 05/03/24

On April 16, the 2024 State of Reform Northern California Health Policy Conference took place in Sacramento, California. This year's focus was on children's health and stressed the growing efforts to target the well-being of California's youth. 

The conference serves as a vital platform that brings together experts who want to help enhance the healthcare system. Experts that include:

• Practitioners
• Thought leaders
• Policymakers

Another expert, Health Net’s own Senior Director of Systems of Care Nancy Wongvipat Kalev was on hand to offer a valued voice. She joined a panel to discuss key issues that surround children's health and welfare in California through the CalAIM Medi-Cal Transformation.

The panel, titled "Children's Health & Welfare" focused on the issues and options that can help ensure the best health and welfare for California's youth. Nancy shared insights from Health Net's viewpoint and noted the crucial role of health plans in merging many benefits for children and youth, which include:

• Community Health Workers (CHW).
• Dyadic care – mental health and well-being for children and their families (or caregivers)
• Enhanced Care Management (ECM) for children and youth, and pregnant and postpartum people.
• Doula services – preventive services to improve maternal health and birth outcomes. Offers custom support for women and families throughout:
  • Pregnancy
  • Childbirth
  • Postpartum 
• Community supports (CS) – services to address social needs linked to health, such as housing and food.

Nancy also explained Health Net's commitment to the total welfare of people living in the state. And our unified approach toward meeting the complex needs of our members – which include children. Health Net, a partner in California’s healthcare landscape for 45 years, has a deep knowledge of our members’ diverse needs. And we champion a complete care model that includes:

• Physical
• Behavioral
• Social
• Long-term

This sweeping approach shines within California's healthcare revision efforts under CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal). And it comes on the heels of the state enacting projects like the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative.

A highlight of Health Net's initiatives is our active involvement in the Children & Youth Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program. Through combined efforts like the local PATH Collaborative Planning and Implementation Initiative, Health Net aims to:

• Make stakeholders more aware
• Help promote provider involvement
• Streamline the referral process for the ECM, CS, CHW and other programs 

Nancy taking part in the State of Reform Northern California Health Policy Conference is one more example of Health Net's commitment to advancing children's health and welfare in California. As the healthcare landscape evolves, Health Net remains steadfast in its mission to provide person-centered care that uplifts communities and transforms lives.