Medi-Cal HMO Plan

* Re “Uncertainties Face HMO Plan for Medi-Cal” (March 28):

Although any change can be unsettling, Gov. Pete Wilson’s initiative to transform Medi-Cal to managed care makes sense--both for beneficiaries and taxpayers.

By linking Medi-Cal beneficiaries to mainstream health plans and their network of providers, managed-care delivery systems will improve access to primary health-care services for poor mothers and their children. And through its emphasis on prevention, health education and early intervention, managed care will generate long-term savings for taxpayers.

As California moves to transform Medi-Cal into a managed-care environment, we must do so in a way that recognizes the role played by traditional providers of care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries and the uninsured. That is why we’ve instituted a number of assurances to traditional providers to facilitate their participation in the Medi-Cal managed-care environment.

A few remaining issues still need to be resolved. But as we move forward with the program, rest assured that we will continue working with traditional providers of health care for low-income Californians, including county health departments and community clinics, to help them to affiliate with the new managed-care plans.

S. KIMBERLY BELSHE, Director

Department of Health Services

Sacramento