Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park's Colonoscopy Days serves high-risk uninsured individuals

The Gastroenterology Department at Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center hosts Colonoscopy Days on a regular basis in partnership with East Valley Community Health Center (EVCHV) in West Covina. Since the program began in 2010, 100 uninsured, low-income individuals from the community have been screened.

Through the leadership of Rody Yoshinaka, MD, Chief of Gastroenterology, a team of physicians and support staff volunteer their time and expertise to provide colonoscopies. Patients are identified by EVCHC, which provides services to low-income and underserved populations of the East San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.

“Our collaboration with the gastroenterology department at Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park provides access to care for individuals who would otherwise be placed on a waiting list at county facilities,” explains Alicia Mardini, Chief Executive Officer, East Valley Community Health Center. “Unfortunately, wait lists can often take several months, which can leave life-threatening conditions undiagnosed if earlier care is not provided. We are fortunate to have this partnership with Kaiser Permanente that provides this valuable service for our patients that improves their health and quality of life.”

“Approximately 49,700 Americans die of colorectal cancer (CRC) each year, accounting for approximately 8 percent of all cancer deaths. In the United States, both the incidence and mortality have been slowly decreasing due at least in part to the application of colon cancer screening protocols,” explains Dr. Yoshinaka. “However, low socioeconomic status has been associated with an increased risk for the development of CRC partly due to lower screenings. Through the partnership with East Valley Community Health Center, our gastroenterology department has tried to address this disparity.”

Since inception, 100 high-risk uninsured patients have received colonoscopies leading to early detection of colon cancer in some and expedited treatment.

The program is for individuals ages 50-75 with a positive Fecal Occult Blood Test, who are at 300% or below of the Federal Poverty Line and are uninsured.

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