Molina Healthcare Donates $10,000 to Support Family Health Centers of San Diego
Caroline Zubieta | 562-951-1588
Roger Salazar | 916-284-1255
Raquel Herriott | 619-729-7438
SAN DIEGO – Feb. 11, 2022 – Molina Healthcare of California (“Molina”), as part of its statewide effort to increase health equity, today presented Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) with a $10,000 donation for their Syringe Services Program, as well as a donation of blankets and hand sanitizers. Following the presentation, Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors provided special remarks about San Diego County’s ongoing commitment and investment to address substance use through a harm reduction approach.
The check presentation and remarks took place at the North Park Public Library in San Diego, alongside the Syringe Services Program mobile exchange unit.
The presentation is one of the many ways Molina is working to uplift community members and address whole-health needs that make communities healthier and more resilient.
“We are living in a time where California health centers and the communities they serve need more support than ever to address pandemic impacts and health inequities,” said Abbie Totten, plan president of Molina Healthcare of California. “Molina is thrilled to partner with Family Health Centers of San Diego to bolster our shared goals of providing whole health to those who need it most.”
For 20 years, FHCSD’s Syringe Services Program (SSP) has implemented a clean syringe exchange program to prevent the ongoing transmission of HIV, HCV and other bloodborne infections among those struggling with addiction. To date, the program has safely disposed of almost 8 million used syringes in San Diego. SSP provides access to sterile syringes, individualized harm reduction education, case management, drug treatment, detoxification services and medical care. Molina Healthcare of California recognizes the value of programs like these that use innovative approaches to health and wellness, and meet neighbors where they are to address health needs.
“Since 2002, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Syringe Services Program (SSP) has cared for over 11,000 individuals and exchanged more than 6.5 million syringes to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis,” said Fran Butler-Cohen, FHCSD CEO. “In addition, SSP has collected nearly 600,000 more syringes than it has distributed, decreasing a substantial quantity of contaminated syringes within our community. Molina’s generous donation further supports our mission of providing one-for-one syringe exchange and collection services, as well as harm reduction education, case management, drug treatment, and detoxification referrals.”
Molina Healthcare of California’s partnership with FHCSD demonstrates their ongoing commitment to the San Diego region and the health of its members.
Chair Fletcher partnered with FHCSD and local leaders in 2021 to secure the support of the Board of Supervisors to allow the County’s Behavioral Health Department to create a comprehensive Harm Reduction strategy for the region.
“The County is proactively tackling the stigma surrounding drug and alcohol addiction. We now offer low barrier addiction treatment to meet people where they are, and provide them with the care they need to recover,” said Chair Fletcher. “Family Health Centers San Diego has been a great partner to usand I am excited that Molina Healthcare is also supporting this worthy cause.”
About Molina Healthcare of California:
Molina Healthcare of California has been providing government-funded care for over 40 years. The Company serves members through Medi-Cal, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Covered California (Marketplace). Molina’s service areas include Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Orange County, and Imperial counties. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 4.8 million members as of September 30, 2021. For more information about Molina Healthcare of California, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About Family Health Centers of San Diego:
Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) is one of the nation’s ten largest FQHCs, operating 58 sites across San Diego County, including 23 primary care clinics, 17 behavioral health facilities, eight dental clinics, an outpatient substance use treatment program, three vision clinics, physical therapy departments, two mobile counseling centers, three mobile medical units and a pharmacy to support services throughout San Diego County. FHCSD staff provides care to over 215,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low income and 29% are uninsured. Also, as a Title X-funded provider of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care, FHCSD provides Title X sexual and reproductive health care services to over 42,000 unique patients each year. The breadth of clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making FHCSD the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation, the largest health care safety-net provider, largest school-based health care provider and largest comprehensive HIV/AIDS services provider in the San Diego region.
About Chair Nathan Fletcher
Nathan Fletcher is Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and is leading a new generation of progressive policy making in San Diego County. He is committed to building diverse coalitions, fighting for equitable policy, and delivering substantial outcomes in the areas of behavioral health, child welfare, & environmental justice. He is focused on transforming the County’s approach to behavioral health by making a substantial investment in our mental health and drug treatment programs. A committed environmentalist, Chair Fletcher uses his time on the Board of Supervisors, and as Chair of the Metropolitan Transit System to ensure we tackle climate change and work to ensure environmental justice. To learn more visit www.SupervisorNathanFletcher.com