L.A. Care Health Plan was established in 1997 as an independent public agency created by the State of California to provide health coverage to low-income Los Angeles County residents. Today, it stands as the nation's largest publicly operated health plan, serving more than 2.5 million members through four product lines including Medi-Cal, Medicare Plus, L.A. Care Covered, and PASC-SEIU Plan. The organization was born from California's two-plan model for Medi-Cal, designed to strengthen the healthcare safety net and ensure vulnerable populations have access to quality care.
Over the past 25 years, L.A. Care has evolved beyond a traditional health plan into a community anchor that advances health equity through innovative programs and substantial community investment. In 2000, the organization established the Community Health Investment Fund (CHIF), which has awarded more than $105 million to over 800 community-based projects and 240 unique clinics. The health plan operates 14 Community Resource Centers across Los Angeles County in collaboration with Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, providing members and communities with exercise and nutrition classes, health screenings, telehealth access, and membership assistance. L.A. Care's mission-driven approach prioritizes healthcare quality, access, and inclusion, ensuring that all LA County residents - regardless of income or circumstance - can achieve their best health.