Page 7 Foothills Sentry MARCH 2026 Family. Friends. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1801073 Ron Esparza, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0C79663 827 S. Tustin Ave Orange, CA 92866 Bus: 714-505-3400 ron@ronesparza.com DAN SLATER dan@DanSlater.com 714-744-2219 1537 E. Chapman Ave. Orange, CA 92866 Why CalOptima Matters to Every Orange County Resident By Vicente Sarmiento, 2nd District Supervisor CalOptima Health is the largest health insurer in Orange County, and a cornerstone of our overall healthcare system, with nearly one out of every three county residents relying on it for access to healthcare. For low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities, CalOptima is often the only way to see a doctor, fill a prescription or receive life-saving care. When coverage is lost, care is delayed, emergency rooms become overcrowded, costs rise and the burden shifts to hospitals and taxpayers. When CalOptima is strong, families are more stable, workers are healthier and our healthcare safety net is more resilient. This year, I have the honor of serving as Chair of the CalOptima Health Board. One of my top priorities is ensuring that members can maintain their coverage. That means proactively advising members and providers and making sure no one loses coverage due to administrative barriers created by shifting federal policies. I am also committed to advancing a whole-person approach to health. We know that health outcomes are shaped not only by medical care, but by housing stability, food security and access to behavioral health services. CalOptima has invested in such initiatives as affordable housing, mobile healthcare for unhoused residents, and expanded behavioral health access. Strong governance is also essential. I am committed to ensuring that CalOptima operates with the highest ethical standards, transparency and accountability. As a public entity entrusted with public dollars and public health, earning and maintaining the community’s trust is fundamental. CalOptima, with $4 billion in annual revenue, plays a role in sustaining our healthcare economy. As the primary payer for Medi-Cal services, it provides a significant source of funding for hospitals, clinics, physician and community health centers. These dollars help keep hospital doors open, support tens of thousands of jobs, and ensure providers can serve both Medi-Cal patients and the broader public. But our healthcare system is under real pressure. Deep federal cuts and reductions to Affordable Care Act subsidies could make healthcare more expensive for thousands of OC families. Other federal policy changes are increasing the risk that residents will lose or face disruptions in coverage. Rapid eligibility shifts, the rollout of twice-yearly renewals, and increasingly complex application requirements are making it harder for people to stay enrolled, even when they qualify. OC residents deserve a public health plan that delivers care with dignity, cultural responsiveness and measurable results. As chair, I am committed to closing coverage gaps, strengthening our provider network and ensuring CalOptima remains the kind of health plan we all want. Leah Green Penelope Vu TAWC names Young Women of the Month The Tustin Area Woman’s Club announced its Young Women of the Month honorees for February. They are Leah Green from Foothill High School and Penelope Vu from Tustin High School. Leah Green has been involved in leadership on the Foothill campus as a prior club president, a member of National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation and has been an Associated Student Body officer all four years of her high school career. Outside of school, she has worked to grow her leadership skills serving her community through interfaith work and advocacy. Green plans to pursue her bachelor’s in science degree at a four-year university. She is currently awaiting admissions notifications. Penelope Vu has explored many interests at Tustin High, including lacrosse, dance team, theater and starting two oncampus clubs. She developed leadership skills serving as Vice President and now President of the Bored Games Club and Treasurer of the AAPI Club. Her experience on the dance team has inspired her to major in dance in college. She hopes to guide future generations of dancers as a teacher. Also named are Anita Campagnola of Beckman High and Destiny Vivianna Perez from Legacy High School. The 2026 OPA Board remains the same as the members whose terms expired – Cindy Reina, David Clemson and Nancy Flathers – were unopposed and duly reelected. Board members, from left, are Kelley Chaplin, Mary Nori Forester, David Hillman, Nancy Flathers, David Clemson, Laurel Maldonado, Sherry Panttaja, Laura Thomas and Cindy Reina. The Orange Acres Back Breakers 4-H Club offered a review of its activities. Julie Shaw, right, was named the 2025 Gary Bandy Award winner. The award recognizes individuals for outstanding dedication to the preservation and maintenance of OPA’s trails and equestrian facilities. Shaw is joined by OPA President Sherry Panttaja, left, and board member Laura Thomas. President Sherry Panttaja gives an overview of the association’s 2025 activities. Martha Wetzer won the raffle for an OPA sweatshirt. Orange City Manager Jarad Hildenbrand, attending his first OPA general meeting, greets the audience and promises that he is “here to help.” Orange Park Association meets, greets and treats The Orange Park Association annual meeting, Jan. 31, featured community highlights and status reports, talks by Supervisor Don Wagner and Orange City Manager Jarad Hildenbrand, a video message from Mayor Dan Slater, presentation of the Gary Bandy Award, community partner displays, election of officers for 2026 and coffee and donuts all around. Public invited to Cowboy Easter services The annual Cowboy Easter Sonrise Service will be held April 5 at 7 a.m. at the Circle S Ranch, 16211 Jackson Ranch Road, Silverado. This year's Easter message will be delivered by Cowboy Preacher Larry Day and Mark Wimberly. The Wimberlys Blue Grass Band will present uplifting music and song. Free Bibles, coffee and donuts available to all attendees. Contact Larry Day at (714 )552-2483 or Laura Thomas at (714) 2644242 for information.
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