New Website Helps Uninsured Alameda County Residents Access Affordable Health Care

Bay City News Service — Alameda County is rolling out a new website designed to make it easier for uninsured families to access free and low-cost health care services in their communities.

The website — www.ACHealthCare.org — has been up and running for the past few months and is now available to the more than 13 percent of county residents without health insurance, website spokeswoman Zoe Woodcraft said.

The site groups the county's various low-cost and free health care options in one location and features what aims to be easy-to-navigate links to a range of services from prenatal, dental and vision care to pediatrics and mental health care providers.

Users on the site can find lists of free and low-cost health services in a variety of languages and locations.

County officials moved to launch the online resource after a 2009 survey of low-income county residents revealed a lack of readily available information such as listings of local clinics or websites for non-English speakers.

"The website shows what can be done when healthcare providers work together and listen to the needs of the individuals they serve," Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan said in a statement.

Since a county news conference last week announcing the website's launch, site administrators have seen an up-tick in traffic, Woodcraft said.

During the news conference, one local family spoke about the hardships of living without health coverage in the Bay Area and about how the site has helped them find free and low-cost healthcare resources in their area.