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STOCKTON (California) RECORD June 20, 2008
MiVia health program for migrants launches in S.J.
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LODI - A pilot program launched Thursday aims to track the health of San Joaquin County's migrant workers and provide them with resources to free or low-cost medical insurance. Through the program, health care providers can access workers' medical history through an online centralized database, and workers can get an identification card listing medications, allergies, medical conditions and emergency contacts. The cards give physicians a snapshot of the worker's health, said Cindy Ehnes, director of California Department of Managed Health Care. A demonstration, during which about 20 migrant workers signed up, was held Thursday at California Human Development WorkNet Center in Lodi. Jesus "Chuy" Mendez, a 27-year-old Guatemalan farm laborer who suffers frequent epileptic seizures, enrolled along with six other members from his family of three generations. The family lives in Stockton and works in Central Valley agriculture fields most of the year. "(Jesus) hasn't taken medication for days now," said his 50-year-old mother, Concepsion Tomas. Mendez, who can't afford medications, also will benefit from resources of medical services the program provides. La Cooperative de Campesina, a Sacramento nonprofit organization, received a $444,470 grant from UnitedHealth Group and PacifiCare of California to launch the one-year pilot program in San Joaquin County. Further funding and expansion will depend on how effective the program proves. The group, in partnership with the state, will enroll an estimated 5,000 migrant workers. Data will be collected in state Human Development Agency mobile units that travel to migrant camps. The MiVia (MyView) Web-based database, which is secured with login and password codes, is accessible to the worker and any physician or outreach worker who is given the access codes. Updates of doctor visits, test results and other medical history are made by physicians. Sonoma County was the first to use the MiVia system. Even though updating the system requires more time from doctors, the program is practical, said Heidi Stovall, a representative from FollowMe Inc., the program's creator. Most physicians who have worked with the program have been enthusiastic about providing the service to migrant workers, she said.
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