While the Affordable Care Act has led to historic gains in the number of Santa Barbara County residents who have health insurance, almost ten percent of adults in the county are still uninsured. The rate of people without insurance is more than double the count average (22.8%) in Santa Maria. These thousands of people are forced to weigh their health against the potential expense whenever they need to seek medical help. That choice could mean they may not eat tonight or pay the rent next week. Extensive research has found people who are uninsured receive about half as much medical care as those who have insurance, resulting in poorer overall health.
Still, more people are underinsured. Though some have a policy, high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs comprise 5-10% of their income. These medical bills can often turn into debt. When the uninsured or underinsured enter the healthcare system, they tend to be sicker with more advanced stages of disease. These factors exact an ongoing physical toll, resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality.
As part of our longstanding commitment to strengthening and augmenting the safety net in our community, the Santa Barbara Foundation is dedicated to improving the delivery of quality healthcare in Santa Barbara County. Our goal is to build the capacity of safety-net organizations to provide timely, high-quality, and patient-centered care. We will continue to bolster our support of healthcare organizations and service providers.
If you are interested in contributing to the solutions, we welcome your partnership and appreciate your support.
Make a GiftContact our team to help you with your specific needs.
Santa Barbara Foundation LOGO