Santa Barbara Clinic Prepares for Surge After Medi-Cal Rule Change
Patricia Martellotti
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Sanctuary Centers is already seeing a sharp rise in new patients.
“It’s gotten increasingly busy in my role as a therapist … seeing a lot more people a lot more diverse, backgrounds, and documented on sheltered … speaking to the types of people and the type of community we see here,” said associate marriage and family therapist Daisy Cruz-Dominguez of the Integrated Health Clinic in Santa Barbara.
A new federal policy is blocking county clinics from treating Medi-Cal patients who don’t meet immigration status rules — driving thousands to seek care elsewhere.
“Many undocumented and even some DACA recipients are being told they are not allowed to see their Primary Care Doctor anymore because of an executive order from the White House that takes effect January 1,” said director Chris Reilly of the Integrated Health Clinic in Santa Barbara.
The clinic on Micheltorena Street plans to take in up to 1,800 of them — providing primary care and mental health services in one place.
“They can come to the integrated health clinic. They’re still welcome here. Their insurance is still here and we are working with their health plan to make a home for them if needed,” said Reilly.
“My concern is that with all the fear and all the stress and all the nervousness around day-to-day life for undocumented folks already this is just going to be another added stressor, but we’re able to provide case management psychiatry, therapy medical resources,” said Cruz-Dominguez.
Staff report the influx is testing limits, but they’re expanding fast.
CenCal Health is placing the rest with other providers.
“My hope is people will come by. Say hi to us … see us get to know us … feel comfortable here and know that for all of the problems that this Community worries about today … healthcare is not one of them that they need to worry about,” said Reilly.
Sanctuary Centers leadership calls uninterrupted patient access the top priority.
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