Last week’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, hits far too close to home for someone like me with three school-age kids. We send our kids to school to learn, be social, and have fun with friends — not to have to potentially confront sheer horror that could await them.
The HASD&IC Board of Directors convened on May 11. Board Chair Tom Gammiere, corporate SVP/Regional Chief Executive – South, Scripps Health, officiated.
RECOGNIZING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS): This week (May 15-21) is the 47th annual National EMS Week, which was established by President Gerald Ford in 1974 to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. The week includes theme days, and throughout the week, San Diego County EMS will be driving to hospital sites to hand out goodies to EMS staff.
At the Capitol in downtown Sacramento, and at the County Administration Center in downtown San Diego, budget season is in full swing. Gov. Newsom released his May Revision last week — and while the $300 billion budget contains a number of new proposals affecting hospitals, health systems, and the patients they serve, it does not address your hospitals’ inflationary challenges.
MEDI-CAL ELIGIBILITY FOR NEW UKRAINIAN ARRIVALS: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released a Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter to provide guidance to counties on the Medi-Cal eligibility of Ukrainian nationals arriving in California. It is anticipated that a significant number will resettle in California. The federal government has not provided any special benefit eligibility for this population, but has authorized the use of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainian arrivals who qualify. Many of the Ukrainian arrivals may enter under TPS or as humanitarian parolees and may not be eligible for the traditional federal services offered to immigrants granted refugee status. However, they may qualify for state-funded programs, including state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal. The letter provides guidance on how to establish Medi-Cal eligibility for this population (based on current Medi-Cal policy) for state and federal Medi-Cal benefits. DHCS will work closely with the state Office of Refugee Health and stakeholders to ensure that new Ukrainian arrivals receive the Medi-Cal benefits to which they are entitled.
More than two years of living through a pandemic have taken a huge a toll on the mental health of millions of Americans, both young and old. This month, as we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month (Mental Health Matters Month in San Diego County), it’s more important than ever to shine the spotlight on a growing challenge that has been seriously exacerbated by the pandemic.
CHA has released two new tools to help members track federal legislation and litigation efforts.
IMPERIAL VALLEY HOMELESSNESS: At the April 12 Imperial County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Imperial Valley Continuum of Care Council Administrative Entity provided details of how they are addressing homelessness and overall accomplishments so far. Updates include a redesign of an operating Coordinated Entry System, the entity’s pandemic response (a region-wide survey to understand needs), update on current continuum of care programs, and projects such as the new Homeless Day Center that will provide services to over 700 individuals per year, Lotus Living Community (transitional housing) for Imperial Valley College students, and youth programs for those experiencing homelessness that have served 156 youth.
Workforce. It’s a word that many of us have become all too familiar with lately.
The HASD&IC Board of Directors convened on March 23. Board Chair Tom Gammiere, Corporate SVP/Regional Chief Executive – South, Scripps Health, officiated.