CenCal Health Presents Official Board Resolution Recognizing Leadership and Advocacy for Community Health Care
Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) was honored on June 1 by the CenCal Health Board of Directors with an official resolution recognizing his leadership and advocacy on behalf of Medi-Cal beneficiaries, providers, and communities across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
The resolution was presented by Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, alongside Marina Owen, Chief Executive Officer of CenCal Health, and CenCal Health Board Chair Sue Andersen, President & CEO of Dignity Health on the Central Coast.
This recognition comes as federal and state health care policies, including Medicaid funding, eligibility requirements and coverage policies, continue to shape access to publicly funded health coverage.
“We recognize and celebrate Congressman Salud Carbajal, not only as a member of Congress but as a longtime champion for health and wellness on the Central Coast,” said Owen in her opening remarks. Addressing the Congressman directly, Owen continued, “Your relationship with CenCal Health didn’t begin in Washington, D.C. but began here locally in 2005 as a member of our Board of Directors. This resolution speaks to how long you have been advocating for healthcare access on the Central Coast.”
CenCal Health’s 13-member Board of Directors is composed of community leaders representing physicians, hospitals, plan members, other healthcare providers, local government, and business. The organization administers the Medi-Cal program in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, providing access to care for more than 230,000 residents through a broad network of local providers.
The resolution was presented to Congressman Carbajal by Supervisor Hartmann, who also serves on the CenCal Health Board of Directors.
“In Spanish, what does ‘salud’ mean? It means ‘health.’ If ever a person’s name reflected their life, it is this man,” said Hartmann. “From his first days in public service with Santa Barbara Public Health, to the Board of Supervisors, to the halls of Congress—Salud Carbajal has devoted himself to the health and well-being of the people of the Central Coast.”
Congressman Carbajal represents California’s Central Coast, including all of Santa Barbara County and portions of San Luis Obispo County. First elected in 2016, he has focused on expanding economic opportunity, protecting the environment, and lowering costs for local families.
A senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Carbajal helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, delivering more than $1 billion for projects across the Central Coast. His work has also secured more than $50 million in federal funding for regional priorities, including health care, public safety, and community services. In addition, he supported federal legislation such as the American Rescue Plan Act, which increased Medicaid funding to help states maintain coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before serving in Congress, Carbajal spent 12 years on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. A University of California, Santa Barbara graduate, Marine Corps Reserve veteran, and longtime Central Coast resident, he has dedicated his career to improving the health, safety, and prosperity of communities throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
At the presentation, Carbajal said, “I’m deeply honored. And together, we’ll continue to fight and work to help those who are most vulnerable, those who need a hand up. So that they too, and their families can live up to their potential and contribute to our country and live that American dream.”
For more information about CenCal Health, visit https://www.cencalhealth.org.
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A man who has done so many things to make the world a better place (unlike his critics).
Bravo!
PR piece released by Cencal Health to pat themself and Carbo on the back. Yawn. Show us some MD’s applauding Cencal. Good luck.
BASIC – nice irrelevant jab at others here. None of this affects you, yet you come here, as always, every day, to disparage the hard work of others. CenCal Health has received numerous local awards for their service. Have you? No. Sit back down, please.
How about you provide some evidence of Carbajal failing in any way. Good luck.
BASIC – While there doesn’t seem to be any online records of “MDs applauding CenCal” (because what, we’re supposed to look through their personal emails, texts, public statements?), this critical organization has received multiple awards and accolades for the services they provide to our community. Individual doctors whining about having to do a little extra paperwork or not getting paid”enough” or whatever they’re crying about has no bearing on an organization’s functional ability and what it does for our community. Providing access to healthcare for low income families and children is a noble endeavor and they’ve done it successfully for decades. What have you done for the marginalized people of our community? Nothing. Nothing at all.
If I had any faith in your ability read basic English, I’d say go ahead and read these, but I won’t, so I’ll just do your work for you, as always.
“CenCal Health will receive the Medical Award in recognition of its leadership in championing healthcare access for children. Providing health coverage for 1 in 4 people in Santa Barbara County, CenCal Health has been in operation since 1983, and is recognized as the oldest Medicaid-managed care program of its kind in the country.
“CenCal Health is an incredible partner to Hospice of Santa Barbara and provides access to high-quality health services, along with education and outreach, for thousands of low-income and marginalized families in Santa Barbara County,” said David Selberg, CEO of HSB. “They know that our entire community thrives when we all achieve optimal health together.” – https://www.hospiceofsb.org/press-release-library/tips-for-navigating-the-holidays-after-the-loss-of-a-loved-one-tm97g-c3w3x-9h6m6
“In 2025, CenCal Health, the Medi-Cal managed care plan, distributed over $16 million to 95 local primary care providers through its Quality Care Incentive Program (QCIP), driving significant improvements in patient care across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.” – https://www.independent.com/2025/12/18/physician-incentive-program-delivers-16m-in-quality-health-care-to-central-coast-in-2025/
“I appreciate that CenCal Health is so easy to work with,” said Dr. Peter Statti, a long-time network physician. “The short response time, timely payments, and free online billing system are exemplary. By and large, working with CenCal Health has been very positive these last 35 years.” – https://www.lhpc.org/press-release/cencal-health-model-managed-care-santa-barbara-county-1983
Also, learn to write properly. It’s “themselves,” not “themself.” Saying “themself” implies you think CenCal Health (also learn to write that correctly) is a singular gender-neutral person.
Very woke of you!
Beta male noodley arm conservatives hate the support of public health.