SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the Local Health Plans of California (LHPC) announced the appointment of Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) CEO Jarrod McNaughton as chair of its Board of Directors, CenCal Health CEO Marina Owen as vice chair, and Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP) CEO Christine M. Tomcala as treasurer. Their two-year term begins in January 2023.

McNaughton succeeds Liz Gibboney, CEO of Partnership Health Plan of California, who has served as board chair since January 2021.

“It is a tremendous honor to serve as board chair and a privilege to further support all of the local health plans’ commitment to serve vulnerable populations and address long-standing health disparities in our communities,” said McNaughton.

As CEO of IEHP, McNaughton leads one of the largest Medi-Cal health plans in the country. With a network of more than 7,000 providers and more than 3,000 employees, IEHP serves more than 1.5 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

CenCal Health CEO Marina Owen runs one of the oldest, most established Medicaid managed care plans of its kind in the country. As the local Medi-Cal managed care plan serving Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, CenCal Health provides access to high quality health care for 1 in 4 people in Santa Barbara County and 1 in 5 people in San Luis Obispo County and serves over 220,000 members.

CEO Christine Tomcala’s leadership guides SCFHP, Santa Clara County’s local Medi-Cal managed care plan, as it works to ensure everyone has access to equitable, high-quality health care. With a strong commitment to integrity, outstanding service, and support for its community, SCFHP serves more than 315,000 people through Medi-Cal and Medicare health care plans.

“Our new board leadership will help guide our organization as we continue to transform Medi-Cal through CalAIM and intensify our focus on quality and equity. Each of these CEOs are respected leaders in their communities who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience across numerous areas of healthcare,” said LHPC CEO Linnea Koopmans. “I am beyond grateful to Liz for leading us during such a pivotal and innovative time for local health plans, and to our past board members for their dedication to Medi-Cal members, providers, staff, and the communities we serve.”

During her time as LHPC Chair, Gibboney provided leadership as Medi-Cal’s groundbreaking CalAIM program was finalized and launched. She also led the board as local plans and the health care delivery system responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, including ongoing efforts to increase vaccination rates and supporting providers who continue to face significant workforce challenges as a result of the pandemic.

“It was an honor and privilege to serve as board chair and represent a vital and unique sector of local health care for millions of Californians,” said Gibboney. “I am deeply appreciative of my fellow board members for their commitment to serving and enriching their communities, and to LHPC for their continued dedication to California’s local, not-for-profit plans as we work to improve and innovate care for our Medi-Cal beneficiaries.”

About LHPC

Local Health Plans of California (LHPC) is a statewide trade association that represents all 16 of the community-based, not-for-profit health plans that provide access to critical and comprehensive healthcare services for low-income populations enrolled in California’s Medicaid program, “Medi-Cal,” in 36 out of 58 counties in the state. With over 8.5 million enrollees, our plans serve approximately 70 percent of all Medi-Cal managed care beneficiaries. LHPC member plans cover more lives than 49 other states’ entire Medicaid programs. More here.

Contact:
Nicole Evans
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