MEDI-CAL MANAGED CARE RFP: On Feb. 9, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released a request for proposal (RFP) for its commercial Medi-Cal managed care plan (MCP) contracts. While this RFP is only for commercial Medi-Cal MCPs, the updated contract will be executed with all Medi-Cal MCPs, including County Organized Health Systems, Local Initiatives, and the new Single Plan Model. The updated MCP contract, which is released with the RFP, also serves as the minimum definition of requirements. MCP proposals are due April 11, and DHCS expects to award contracts to selected plans in August. New contracts will become effective Jan. 1, 2024. A voluntary pre-proposal web conference will be held on Feb. 24 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (PT). Pre-registration is required, and questions will be taken only via the webinar chat feature.
HEALTH CARES TRAINING: San Diego County will hold a domestic violence training on Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon (PT). This training is targeted at health care providers to address screening for domestic violence and strangulation resources available to health care systems. At the end of the training, there will be an optional 30-minute discussion on strategies to implement San Diego County Healthcare Standards for Intimate Partner Violence. In addition, the San Diego Domestic Violence Council also hosts a full-day Domestic Violence Essentials 101 training in English and Spanish throughout the year for behavioral health staff, social workers, law enforcement, educators, youth agencies, and community/faith-based and social service providers. To be notified of this training, email Terra.Marroquin@sdcda.org for Domestic Violence Essentials in English and Lisbet.Perez@sdcda.org for Domestic Violence Essentials in Spanish.
WORKFORCE: The first public meeting of the California Health Workforce Education and Training Council is planned for early 2022. The council, which is responsible for helping coordinate California’s health workforce education and training to develop a health workforce that meets California’s health care needs, was formed in late 2021 following the passage of Assembly Bill 133 and is part of the Department of Health Care Access and Information (formerly known as the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development). It is composed of 17 members who, together, represent various graduate medical education and training programs, health professions — including, but not limited to, specialties for primary care and behavioral health — and consumer representatives.
HOMELESS SERVICES: At its Feb. 1 meeting, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted to accept $2.1 million in state funds for efforts to address homelessness. According to a report from county Social Services Director Veronica E. Rodriguez, about $1.5 million is from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. The funds must be used for services such as rapid rehousing, including rental subsidies and incentives to landlords (e.g., security deposits and holding fees), operating subsidies in new and existing affordable housing units and shelters, and street outreach to help people experiencing homeless find a permanent residence.
AMBULANCE PATIENT OFFLOAD TIMES: Last week, CHA and the California Professional Firefighters sent a joint letter to California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly and Elizabeth Basnett, acting director of the Emergency Medical Services Authority, that proposes six measures that can be implemented immediately to reduce system stress and improve patient care. The six measures include:
- Collaborating on a communication program to help educate the public on the usage of the emergency medical services system
- Support for wall medic staffing
- Authority for alternate destinations
- Use of COVID-19 surge-designated urgent care overflow facilities
- Policies to facilitate use of available fire department resources throughout the state
- Implementation of proven strategies to facilitate transfer of patients from hospitals to long-term care facilities and other community levels of care
