Robert K. Ross, MD [Pediatrician]
the California Endowment
Serves as “Funder and Advisor” to the D5 Coalition
http://www.calendow.org/our-story/
MISSION STATEMENT [California Endowment]
"The California Endowment’s mission is to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians.
We don’t focus on prescriptions.
We focus on fixing broken systems and outdated policies, ensuring the balance of power is with the people. We don’t focus on the individual, we focus on the larger community as an ecosystem of health. We work with citizens and elected leaders to find lasting solutions to impact the most people we possibly can.
The goal is simple: First, change the way people view health—from the notion that health happens in the doctor’s office to a belief that health happens where you live, work, learn, and play. We call this “narrative change.”
Second, integrate smart solutions in communities across the state. We do this by working with our partners and grantees to fundamentally change “the rules”—laws, policies, and systems—that impede health in our communities. Building Healthy Communities is our 10-year $1 billion-funded initiative that aims to bring health to where we live, learn, work, and play.
We’re changing the narrative around health to ensure health and justice for all."
The California Endowment has some very interesting globalist types in it however, I elected not to jump in that bunny hole at this time.
More on Ross:
http://www.schoolhealthcenters.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/r-ross-bio.pdf
“… Dr. Ross has been actively involved in community and professional activities at both the local and national level. He served as a ***member of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, and on the boards of the National Marrow Donor Program,*** San Diego United Way and Jackie Robinson YMCA. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pediatrics, served on the President’s Summit for America’s Future and as chairman of the national Boost for Kids Initiative. Dr. Ross received his undergraduate, masters in Public Administration and medical degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia….”
[Texokie Note: ***National Vaccine Advisory Committee and National Marrow Donor Program***….. uh oh - my fevered brain is making some not so pleasant possible deductions/connections here….]
*texokie climbs out of the stinky dirty grimy bunny hole warren and goes to get a bath*
>>texokie climbs out of the stinky dirty grimy bunny hole warren and goes to get a bath
Don’t forget behind your ears. Sincerely, thank you for all the deep research you do. It’s nothing short of spectacular.
Given the mission statement, I would say that the California Endowment, is either a (FQHC) Federally Qualified Health Care Center, or affiliated with such a center.
Such centers are considered part of America’s safety net. They accept medicare, Medicaid, private Ins. and the uninsured. The board is required to have 51% majority of patients and is a non-profit 501c3.
These health centers were formed during the 70s initially focusing on migrant farm workers. Such things as services, hours, etc. are decided by the board. Also, based on family income, the cost of care varies. Below poverty rate, the cost of an office visit may only be $15. The % rate is established by the board up to 200% of poverty.
If the family income exceeds 200% of poverty, there is not a discount, but the family may still set up payment arrangements and pay as little as they can afford on a schedule that fits their needs-but they are all required to pay something.
This actually works out to be similar to the way things were when I was young, before Medicare. A doctor often gave a discount for students, or low-income - it was up to him. Doctors and hospitals set up payment schedules.
The Insurance companies didn’t like it-claiming that they were bearing the burden of the uninsured, since insured patients didn’t receive such discounts.
Eventually, laws were passed to prevent such things. Now a private Dr. can offer discounts for immediate “cash” payment, but not for inability to pay-unless they are FQHC.
If Obama had truly wanted to help the uninsured get access to health care, he would have simply funded/set up new centers in each poverty/uninsured areas in the USA that didn’t have one, and would have had a chance to actually improve health care for many people without disrupting everyone else.
The FQHC here, in our area, provides excellent care and services are reasonably priced to cover cost of care. While in the waiting room for the Dentist @ our FQHC, a friend of mine witnessed a lady bringing in her toddler, who was crying and in pain.
She went to the window and gave them a 20 dollars. I only have 20 dollars, this is all the money I could scrape together, is that enough for you to help my son? The person at the window, handed the money back to her.
We can talk about that later, he said-we’ll work your son in as soon as we have an empty exam room, and take care of him. Let’s take care of him first.
Another patient told me, it was the only place she ever went that treated her like a human being. Every other place was rude and snooty. I also use this health center, since they take Medicare, and some Docs here do not take new Medicare patients.