Californians can now access information about local healthcare providers using MyHealthResource

Realizing the New Year's resolution of "good health" could be just a click of the mouse away - even for Californians without adequate health insurance, thanks to a free, online resource from Californians for Patient Care. Using MyHealthResource, available at www.calpatientcare.org, Californians can access information about local healthcare providers that provide primary, dental, vision and mental healthcare services to the uninsured and underinsured.

“This time of year, countless people make resolutions to 'get healthy,' but for the newly uninsured and chronically uninsured, that goal may seem impossible to attain”

"This time of year, countless people make resolutions to 'get healthy,' but for the newly uninsured and chronically uninsured, that goal may seem impossible to attain," said Carmella Gutierrez, president of Californians for Patient Care, a nonprofit, patient advocacy organization. "But everyone deserves the chance to be healthy. MyHealthResource makes is easy for people - regardless of whether or not they have health insurance - to get the care they need, when they need it."

The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research indicates that nearly a quarter of all Californians are uninsured. And according to a recent report from the California HealthCare Foundation, it is working families that appear to be uninsured. The report states that one-third of those without insurance have family incomes greater than $50,000 and more than half of the state's uninsured children live in homes where the head of household has a year-round, full-time job.

People interested in finding local low- and no-cost healthcare providers may access MyHealthResource through the Californians for Patient Care website (www.calpatientcare.org), and in three easy steps, find the information they need:

• Click on the blue "Find Low or No Cost Services Near You" button
• Enter the name of the city, county or ZIP code
• Select from the list of service categories including clinics, vision, dental, mental health, veterans, seniors, homeless shelters and prescription assistance

The results: a list of local low- and no-cost health service providers, including street addresses, phone numbers and information on the types of services provided. Having access to these care options may allow families to get their children the vaccinations and immunizations they need to stay healthy. Or it could provide someone with diabetes who recently lost their health insurance a way to get the treatment they need.

Along with information on local healthcare service providers, Californians for Patient Care also provides information on chronic disease management, how to shop for health insurance, information on new research studies and links to helpful organizations and websites.

"The economy has been a tremendous equalizer, in terms of healthcare," said Gutierrez. "People who once were able to take their healthcare for granted now find themselves in different circumstances. As people consider the possibilities of the coming year, they should use their affordable, local resources to take charge of their health and get the care they need, when they need it."