New program for homeless who frequently use ERs

The county is looking for 1,049 chronically homeless people who frequently use emergency rooms for medical treatment, resulting in high Medi-Cal costs.

These people, identified in 2016, are being sought to be a part of Whole Person Wellness, a county program that will help them find a home and give them access to behavioral and physical health services, saving millions in Medi-Cal costs.

"We're looking for chronically homeless people with multiple symptoms to help them better manage their care," Nick Macchione, director of the County Health and Human Services Agency, which manages the program,...