Northern California health care organization struggles with telecom infrastructure deficiencies

Deficient Internet telecom infrastructure is hamstringing a rapidly growing non-profit health care organization that administers Medicaid benefits for more than 500,000 beneficiaries in 14 Northern California counties including Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity and Yolo.

“The biggest challenge we’re facing is (inadequate) broadband Internet,” in the region, Elizabeth Gibboney, CEO of the Partnership HealthPlan of California, told a health care symposium sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation in Sacramento this week. In particular, Gibboney cited her organization’s need for modern connectivity to support safety net clinic sites and telehealth consultations with specialists as well as teleworking staff.