Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is commemorating 15 years of delivering coordinated healthcare services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Ventura County.

GCHP began operations on July 1, 2011, as California's sixth County Organized Health System, initially providing managed care services to approximately 100,000 Medi-Cal recipients through a network of primary care physicians, specialists, behavioral health professionals, and hospitals. As Medi-Cal eligibility expanded over the years, GCHP's membership more than doubled, reaching a peak of nearly 255,000 enrollees. Correspondingly, the organization's workforce grew significantly, expanding from 25 employees to more than 400.

"Today, we recognize and celebrate our employees, healthcare providers, and community partners who remain committed to supporting our members throughout every stage of their healthcare journey," said Dr. Felix Nuñez, chief executive officer of GCHP. "Although the healthcare landscape continues to evolve rapidly and presents ongoing challenges, our team and partners have remained steadfast in our mission to deliver high-quality care and services to our members."

Over the past 15 years, GCHP has experienced sustained growth while increasing its impact throughout Ventura County. According to annual quality assessments conducted by the California Department of Health Care Services for Medi-Cal managed care plans, GCHP has consistently ranked among the state's highest-performing health plans in recent years for improving access to preventive health screenings and immunizations.

In keeping with industry standards and best practices, GCHP achieved dual accreditation last year. The organization earned Health Equity Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in recognition of its efforts to understand and address the diverse healthcare needs of its members. It also received NCQA Health Plan Accreditation, reflecting its commitment to quality measurement and continuous improvement.

In 2025, GCHP expanded its offerings by launching Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP), a program designed to integrate Medi-Cal and Medicare benefits for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities residing in Ventura County.

Throughout its history, GCHP has supported healthcare providers and community organizations through grants, scholarships, and sponsorship initiatives aimed at expanding access to care and strengthening community resources. Over the past two years alone, its Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability & Equity (RISE) grant program has distributed more than $13 million to local clinics, hospitals, and community organizations to enhance services for Medi-Cal members.

"Our partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations have played a critical role in improving access to care and health outcomes for the communities we serve," Nuñez said.

"The meaningful progress we've achieved together over the years is truly something to celebrate."

Approximately 250 nurse practitioners and physician assistants working at clinics affiliated with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (FHCC), the University of Washington (UW), and Seattle Children’s Hospital (SCH) have submitted petitions to form a union with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD).

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is internationally recognized for cancer treatment and research, serving patients throughout Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. The advanced practice providers involved say their move toward unionization stems from a collective effort to safeguard high-quality patient care across the Puget Sound region.

According to clinicians, recent organizational changes have led to heavier patient volumes and less time per appointment, making it more difficult to provide the level of care cancer patients require. They also contend that frontline providers have had limited input in decisions related to the organization’s growth and expansion. Involving clinicians in planning for new centers, they argue, would help ensure sustainable staffing and stronger collaboration among care teams.

“We are unionizing so that we can continue to provide excellent care to our oncology patients while improving transparency and fairness within FHCC, UW, and SCH,” said Sam Doyle, ARNP, who has worked at UW for 17 years. “We believe unionization offers a democratic and collaborative path toward these goals, and we hope our employers will negotiate with us in good faith.”

The unionization effort is being reviewed by two agencies because of the clinicians’ mixed public-private employment structure: the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for private-sector employees and the Washington Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) for public-sector employees. Under Washington’s HB 1744 (2021–22), workers performing the same duties in the same setting can receive different benefits and protections depending on whether they are classified as public or private employees.

Providers say these inconsistencies have contributed to staff turnover and declining morale, issues they believe directly affect continuity of care and long-term patient-provider relationships in oncology.

“For clinicians across three healthcare systems to unite in this way highlights both the seriousness of the problems they’re facing and their commitment to protecting patient care,” said Dr. Stuart Bussey, president of UAPD. “These providers have decades of experience treating some of the region’s most vulnerable patients, and their decision to organize underscores the importance of giving frontline clinicians a meaningful voice in healthcare decisions.”

The NLRB has scheduled union elections for FHCC-employed clinicians on July 8 and July 9, 2026. UW-employed clinicians are still awaiting certification through PERC. If the bargaining units are certified, the clinicians will begin contract negotiations with the healthcare institutions over issues such as staffing levels, workplace conditions, pay equity, and clinical independence.

BioMatrix Infusion Pharmacy has announced that it will rebrand as LUX Infusion, effective April 1. The change introduces a refreshed visual identity along with updated mission and vision statements, representing a key step in the company’s ongoing development.

Bringing Teams Together Under a Unified Vision
The move to LUX Infusion builds on the strong foundation established by the BioMatrix brand rather than replacing it. The new name reflects the organization’s evolution into a comprehensive infusion services platform. It continues to deliver both in-home infusion care and services through ambulatory infusion centers, while maintaining partnerships with healthcare providers and business collaborators across the country.

“This rebrand represents a meaningful point in our journey,” said CEO Ted Kramm. “As LUX Infusion, we are aligning our teams under a single, cohesive identity and reinforcing our culture. Our focus remains clear—providing outstanding infusion care with empathy, reliability, and excellence at every interaction.”

A key part of LUX Infusion’s strategy is its adaptable care approach, designed to serve patients wherever they are most comfortable—whether at home or at one of its infusion centers. With operations spanning from Alaska to Massachusetts, the company emphasizes personalized treatment while ensuring close coordination with referring physicians and healthcare systems.

New Identity, Same Commitment to Care
Although the name is changing, the organization’s dedication to quality care remains unchanged. Patients and partners can continue to rely on the same experienced teams, clinical knowledge, responsiveness, and individualized attention that have long defined the company.

With a unified brand and clear strategic direction, LUX Infusion is positioned for continued national growth through expansion and targeted acquisitions. The company plans to keep investing in its workforce, technology, and clinical expertise to deliver high-quality, coordinated infusion care across all settings.

LUX Infusion operates as part of the Frazier Healthcare Partners portfolio. For more information, visit www.luxinfusion.com or connect with the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

Its family of brands includes BioMatrix Specialty Pharmacy, BioMatrix Specialty Infusion, Mylyfe, LLC, Upstate HomeCare, Infucare Ltd., IV Care, LLC, First Choice Wellness Centers LLC, and Total Infusion Care, LLC.