CenCal Health

Select Your Plan Health Initiative Healthy Families Health Education

Members Newsletter Community Resources Health Topics Preventive Guidelines Teen Newsletter For Providers: Asthma Action Plans For Providers: Staying Healthy Forms

Prenatal Plus2 In-Home Support Healthy Kids SB Healthy Kids SLO Employers HIPAA Privacy Practices & Confidentiality

Para Miembros

Seleccione Su Plan Health Initiative Healthy Families Prenatal Plus2 In-Home Support Healthy Kids SB Healthy Kids SLO HIPAA Privacy Practices & Confidentiality

For Providers

Providers Only (restricted) Provider Bulletin Eligibility Verification Ensuring Quality

HEIDIS Report Disease Management Programs Provider Audit Process Clinical Guidelines Preventive Health Guidelines Medical Advisory Committee Members Quality Assessment & Improvement Program

Manuals Contracted Provider List Contracting with CenCal Health Formulary Online Medical Manuals HIPPA Transactions Staying Healthy Forms FAQ Cultural and Linguistic Resources Claims and Billings Procedures Requiring TAR Provider Profile Health Resource Links

About CenCal Health

Introduction Mission Statement Statutes Management Team Medical Advisory Committee Members Board Members

Board Agendas Board Meeting Schedules

CenCal Health Budget Annual reports Audited Financial Statements Glossary of Terms Join the CenCal Health Team

Apply for a Position Openings Benefits

SITEMAP

About CenCal Health > Introduction

About CenCal Health - Introduction

In Memoriam
Lawrence M. Hart, M.D.
1928 - 1998

In the 1970's and early 80's, spending under the traditional fee-for-service Medi-Cal program was essentially out of control. What was worse, the possession of a Medi-Cal card did not guarantee access to care, and in fact provider participation was at an all-time low. The stage was set for change.

In 1981, navigating through uncharted waters, Dr. Larry Hart (at that time the Director of the County Health Care Services Department) conceptualized a locally-administered health plan for the less fortunate people in Santa Barbara County, including the aged, the blind, the disabled, and those children whose parents were unemployed or absent from the home. The plan was designed to provide quality health care and guarantee access to that care, while at the same time increasing provider participation and satisfaction. The plan also had to be cost-effective, and hence more efficient than the State Medi-Cal program.

After years of skillful political negotiations, and countless meetings with community representatives and providers, along with the efforts of a dedicated staff who were committed to his dream, Dr. Hart's vision became a reality on September 1, 1983. The Santa Barbara County Health Authority went operational on that day, and remains to this day the longest standing and most successful Medi-Cal managed care program of its kind in the nation.

Dr. Hart's signature was statesmanlike diplomacy -- or maybe it was his khaki slacks, blue blazer, and striped tie… or perhaps the oh-so-very British diction, grey hair and twinkling eyes.

Sadly, the light of this true visionary was extinguished on September 1, 1998, with the passing of Dr. Hart. Fifteen years later after the dream became a reality, there remain staff at the Health Authority who had the honor and privilege of working with him. The future will continue to be full of projects and challenges, but in his spirit we will continue to nurture the program he created, in the pursuit of excellence that he typified. And for this, we salute you, Dr. Hart. You will not be forgotten.

- Elizabeth Long