Placer County rejiggering health care options

Starting in July, Western Sierra Medical Clinic will provide medical and dental services to low-income North Lake Tahoe residents in place of Placer County’s current health clinic in Kings Beach.

Most of the existing county medical staff will join the nonprofit Western Sierra, and several Placer County nurses will remain onsite.

The county will no longer operate health clinics directly, having transitioned operations of a clinic in Auburn to Western Sierra last fall.

The idea is this change will save money and allow for more flexibility.

Western Sierra will treat patients from Nevada and Placer counties, and initially offer primary care and dental services for newborns to seniors at the Kings Beach health center, though additional services such as pediatrics and women’s health may eventually also be offered.