Against the backdrop of impending budget cuts that threaten the health care safety net, plus the unemployed losing their health coverage, the leaders of several local health systems are calling for joint action.

Contra Costa Health Services, John Muir Health, Kaiser Permanente, La Clinica de la Raza, Planned Parenthood, Shasta Diablo and Sutter Delta Medical Center issued a briefing paper describing the impact of the economy on health access – especially in East Contra Costa County.

“Even before the current economic situation was declared a recession, the health providers serving East Contra Costa County had begun working together to explore how to expand capacity and were working to develop a long-range Master Plan,” said Contra Costa Health Services Director Dr. William Walker. “The dramatic increase in the number of uninsured has turned this effort into an immediate need.”

The briefing paper (viewable online at www.cchealth.org) highlights the impact of the economy on the ability of East Contra Costa residents to receive health care.