Gold Coast Health Plan appoints new Chief Financial Officer. Aug 27, 2026, 18:12 ET Accomplished healthcare finance executive with expertise in Medi-Cal and Medicare takes the financial helm of Ventura County's local Medi-Cal and Medicare plan CAMARILLO, Calif., Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) today announced the appointment of Christopher Lee as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Lee brings more than 25 years of healthcare finance experience to GCHP, with deep expertise in Medicare Advantage, Medi-Cal managed care, and community health. "Christopher joins us at a critical time for our Medi-Cal members," said Dr. Felix Nuñez, GCHP's chief executive officer. "As we navigate major changes due to H.R. 1, including the transition of some members to a fee-for-service program, his proven track record of strengthening financial performance and managing costs through planning and analysis will help GCHP stay strong for our community. We are fortunate to have his experience and steady leadership on our team as we continue to grow programs like our Total Care Advantage plan." Lee comes to GCHP from Healthcare In Action, a community health organization in Southern California that serves people experiencing homelessness. As CFO, he rebuilt the organization's financial systems and strengthened how they managed grants and billing. Prior to that role, he spent seven years as vice president of financial planning and analysis at SCAN Health Plan, where he helped oversee a $5.2-billion budget and supported the plan's Medicare bid process. He also spent eight years in finance leadership roles at CareMore Health and Anthem. "As the new chief finance officer of Gold Coast Health Plan, I'm committed to building the financial infrastructure that allows this mission-driven organization to keep providing access to high-quality care and services for the people who depend on it most," said Lee. "I look forward to working with the team to build a strong financial foundation that supports our members through these major policy changes." Lee holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California and a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Irvine. He started August 24. About Gold Coast Health Plan Gold Coast Health Plan proudly serves about 220,000 Medi-Cal members in Ventura County through its network of primary care physicians, specialists, behavioral health providers, and hospitals. Since it was founded in 2011, Gold Coast Health Plan has been committed to providing access to high-quality care and improving the health of its members, which include 1 in 3 county residents, 1 in 6 seniors, and 1 in 2 children up to the age of 5. To learn more, visit: www.goldcoasthealthplan.org. SOURCE Gold Coast Health Plan

Report: ACAP Safety Net Health Plans are creating innovative solutions to chronic conditions. WASHINGTON - A new report from the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) highlights the innovative initiatives of its Safety Net Health Plans (SNHP) to address their patients' chronic conditions. It also offers a suite of policy recommendations to facilitate more effective management of chronic conditions among health plans. An estimated 60 percent of Americans live with at least one chronic disease, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or obesity. Four in 10 live with two or more such conditions. Chronic conditions account for 90 percent of the country's $4.9 trillion annual spend on health care. The prevalence of chronic conditions is particularly elevated among populations with low incomes. Among non-elderly Medicaid enrollees, 3 in 4 have at least one chronic condition. This means that ACAP-member SNHPs, which serve more than 30 million people through Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace, disproportionately care for people at greater risk of being afflicted by chronic diseases. As a result, ACAP-member plans have piloted programs that combine medical care with robust disease prevention and social support. These strategies - integrated care coordination, proactive disease management programs, data-driven quality improvement, and addressing health-related social needs - have produced numerous novel approaches from plans. "For so many of our plans' members, chronic conditions can consume their day-to-day lives," ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray said. "However, by raising the standard of care with these innovative programs, our hope is to improve health outcomes, reduce avoidable health care spending, and return to our members a sense of control over their lives and their health." * Texas-based Community First Health Plans created an initiative aimed at helping patients living with diabetes who are at high risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers. * Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan of California introduced a community-based, in-person educational series on hypertension. * Gold Coast Health Plan partnered with Conejo Health, a community-based organization skilled at enhanced care management, to improve Ventura County Medical Center's follow-up after emergency department visits for substance use or mental illness. * Banner University Health Plans started offering personal educational support to Arizona families with one or more children identified as overweight to combat childhood obesity, which can lead to a higher risk for diabetes and heart disease. * Illinois-based CountyCare launched a lead poisoning awareness campaign, providing Medicaid families with educational resources and vouchers for free Brita pitchers. * Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island developed a maternal meal delivery benefit, providing members who just went through childbirth with up to 28 home-delivered meals. * Chorus Community Health Plans addressed food insecurity and diabetes within the Milwaukee metro area by partnering with telehealth nutrition solution company Foodsmart while also providing medically-tailored meals as an in lieu of services benefit to qualified members. The report also details several policy recommendations to facilitate care for chronic conditions, including facilitating initiatives to support health-related social needs, addressing the looming provider shortage, improving continuity of coverage and care, and promoting fiscal sustainability through transparent rate-setting. Read the full report at www.communityplans.net. ABOUT ACAP ACAP represents 83 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 30 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit communityplans.net.