Health Plan Celebrates 30 Years Serving Local Communities
Photos courtesy of Health Plan
Health Plan (“Health Plan”) marks its 30th anniversary this year, recognizing three decades of service to local communities and a continued commitment to improving access to care for residents across the region. Since its founding in 1996, Health Plan has grown alongside the communities it serves and the evolution of California’s Medi-Cal program. What began as a locally established health plan serving approximately 40,000 members in San Joaquin County now supports nearly 400,000 members across Alpine, El Dorado, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties.
Throughout that growth, Health Plan has remained rooted in its mission to provide accessible, community-based care—working to ensure members can get the services they need, when they need them. A significant milestone came in 2014 with the expansion into Stanislaus County, increasing access to care for thousands of additional residents. Continued progress followed, including achieving National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) accreditation in 2015, reflecting a commitment to quality and accountability.
In recent years, Health Plan has expanded its Medi-Cal Plan into Alpine and El Dorado counties as Mountain Valley Health Plan and launched a Medicare Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP), designed to better coordinate care for individuals eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare across its entire service area.
“Reaching 30 years marks a profound milestone that reflects decades of expansion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to equitable, high‑quality care,” said Health Plan’s Chief Executive Officer, Lizeth Granados. “We remain steadfast in our dedication to expanding our support as a trusted local partner so individuals and families can remain confidently connected to the care and services that empower them to thrive.”
Health Plan is proud of its 30-year legacy of community-focused care that is making a measurable difference. Health Plan’s work extends beyond traditional healthcare, supporting programs and partnerships that address the real-life factors that impact health—such as food access, housing stability, preventive care, and chronic disease management. Through close collaboration with community-based organizations, providers, and local agencies, Health Plan continues to help remove barriers and improve access to culturally responsive, timely care.
“Over the past three decades, we’ve seen how our steadfast dedication to the health of our communities drives meaningful and lasting improvement,” said Health Plan’s Chief Operations Officer, Liz Le. “That dedication continues to guide how we invest in impactful programs, support our local providers, and move forward with confidence to ensure a healthier, more vibrant future for our region.”
Part of Health Plan’s enduring legacy is its commitment to investing in health care education in the areas it serves, which are medically understaffed due to shortages of health care professionals.
For example, this past March, Health Plan awarded a $2.5 million capital grant to Stanislaus State to expand nursing education and workforce training at the University’s Stockton Campus, supporting the creation of the Health Plan of San Joaquin Health and Human Services (HHS) Training Center. The investment will fund a dedicated suite of simulation training laboratories and clinical skills labs on the second floor of Willow Hall, strengthening and expanding hands-on training for nursing students preparing to serve communities across the Northern San Joaquin Valley. “This investment represents a powerful commitment to the health of our region,” said Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis. “By strengthening clinical training in an underserved region such as ours, Health Plan of San Joaquin’s partnership will ensure high-quality care for families throughout the Central Valley. This vital program will guarantee that nurses and other health care professionals can train here, graduate, and serve our beloved Central Valley.”
Communities across the Northern San Joaquin Valley face persistent shortages of health care providers and ongoing health disparities. Many counties are federally designated medically underserved areas and health professional shortage areas, highlighting critical gaps in access to care. These conditions are compounded by high levels of social vulnerability — including poverty, limited transportation and crowded housing — which create additional barriers to timely, preventive care.
As Health Plan reflects on 30 years of service, the organization remains focused on the future—continuing to strengthen member experience, support providers, and invest in community-based solutions that promote long-term health and well-being.
To learn more about Health Plan, www.hpsj-mvhp.org.
