Biweekly Briefing Articles

Tackling San Diego’s Behavioral Health Crisis 

As Southern California residents continue to face increased financial pressures, the demand for behavioral health services has grown significantly. With hospitals also under financial duress, it is becoming more challenging to meet the needs of those who struggle with mental health and substance use disorders. But with hospitals also under financial duress — 53% of all hospitals statewide lose money every day to deliver patient care — it is becoming more challenging to meet the needs of those who struggle with mental health and substance use disorders. At HASD&IC, we understand that behavioral health has a lasting impact on the entire health care system, evidenced by behavioral health being elevated to a top HASD&IC board priority by both the community and our hospitals.

5 Things To Know: Register by Thursday for Upcoming Imperial CalAIM PATH Collaborative Meeting

On March 27 from noon to 3 p.m. (PT), community organizations, county agencies, health care providers, and managed care plans serving Imperial County are invited to an in-person meeting and lunch at the Community Health Plan of Imperial office, hosted by the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Collaborative. The CalAIM PATH Collaborative’s purpose is to build awareness of local enhanced care management and community support services, identify and address gaps, share best practices, explore funding and collaborative opportunities, and use collective resources to make a difference in the community. Attendees must register by March 20. 

5 Things To Know: Street Medicine Summit Offers Hands-On Training and CME

On April 4 from 8:30 a.m. to noon (PT), Live Well San Diego is hosting the quarterly Street Medicine Summit at the county operations center. The summit includes two back-to-back sessions: The first is hands-on wound debridement training and the second is a care coordination solutioning workshop. Participants are eligible to receive continuing medical education (CME) credit for their participation. Event registration closes March 25. 

5 Things To Know: Upcoming Generational Poverty Workshop Brings Fresh Perspectives

On April 3 from 10 a.m. to noon (PT), the Alliance for Regional Solutions is hosting a virtual interactive workshop aimed at bringing a fresh perspective to the long-standing dialogue surrounding generational wealth and poverty in America. The community is invited to register for this free event, where they will use role-playing and discussion to examine the establishment of slavery, the policies that perpetuated racism and inequality, and the social climate that fostered both generational wealth and poverty. MS Dispatch Enhanced Care Access (and its related template is included for comment).  

5 Things To Know: San Diego County EMS Seeks Input on Key Policies

The San Diego County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Office is in the process of revising several policies that support the organized EMS delivery system, and has released updated drafts for additional public comment through April 14. These drafts are based on initial community feedback from the comment period that ended Dec. 31, 2024. Changes include clarifying language, among other edits, on the following policies: Special Program Authorizations, EMS Continuing Education, Data Use and Standards, EMS Dispatch Enhanced Care Access (and its related template is included for comment).  

5 Things To Know: San Diego County Requests Community Feedback on Budget Priorities by March 28

San Diego County government is responsible for day-to-day management — including law enforcement, roads, building permits, animal shelters, protection, parks, and libraries — in the region’s large unincorporated area (outside of the 18 cities and 18 federally recognized tribes). Some cities also contract with the county to provide services. To aid in its budget priorities for 2025-27, the county wants to hear which of its services and programs matter most to its residents and requests this community feedback by March 28.

5 Things To Know: CDPH Issues All Facilities Letter on Psychiatric Emergency Medical Conditions

On Feb. 24, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released an All Facilities Letter (AFL) notifying general acute care hospitals and acute psychiatric hospitals that Assembly Bill 1316 — which amends the definition of a psychiatric emergency medical condition and related patient transfer laws — has been chaptered. The AFL clarifies that the amended definition and laws apply regardless of whether a patient is voluntarily or involuntarily detained for assessment, evaluation, and crisis intervention; or placed for evaluation under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act. Contact the CDPH’s San Diego District Office with questions about this AFL.  

5 Things To Know: Report Identifies Service Delivery Gaps in Certain Medi-Cal Programs

The Department of Health Care Services has released a new report that identifies critical gaps in two Medi-Cal programs and service delivery systems: home- and community-based services (HCBS) and managed long-term services and supports (LTSS). Key findings include limited access to HCBS for California’s rapidly aging population, higher rural area use of institutional LTSS, the growing need for additional HCBS providers, and a significant need for direct care providers. The report also shares next steps for reducing inequities in access and services, meeting member needs, increasing program integration and coordination, improving care quality, and streamlining access to services.