Biweekly Briefing Articles

A Major Win for Health Care Access in Imperial County

Late last month, Imperial County reached a significant health care milestone with the Imperial Valley Healthcare District’s (IVHD) acquisition of El Centro Regional Medical Center. This is the final piece in creating a unified health care district (which also includes Pioneers Medical Center in Brawley), designed to strengthen care delivery and better serve residents in Imperial County. With bondholders having agreed to the transaction, the last remaining hurdle has been cleared, paving the way for the district’s completion. Bondholders are working through the final administrative and regulatory steps of the transition’s formal completion.

5 Things To Know: CHA Makes Case That Now Is the Time to Overturn OHCA’s Unlawful Cost Targets 

Last week, the California Hospital Association (CHA) filed its latest legal brief with the San Francisco Superior Court establishing why the judge must reject the Office of Health Care Affordability’s (OHCA’s) request to dismiss the case. While OHCA continues its attempts to dodge any oversight, CHA’s latest petition demonstrates why judicial scrutiny is needed now — OHCA’s spending targets are already causing direct and immediate harm...

5 Things To Know: Domestic Violence Council to Host Virtual Training 

The San Diego Domestic Violence (DV) Council is hosting a one-day virtual training — DV Essentials — on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (PT). This training is intended for professionals seeking basic training on domestic violence and will cover screening, risk factor identification, safety planning, resources, and more.

5 Things To Know: San Diego and Imperial Counties to Convene for Environmental Health 

Stakeholders are invited to register for the Border Health Collaborative's Environmental Health Symposium on Oct. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Alpine. Participants will be able to connect with environmental health experts, clinicians, academics, promotores, regional advocates, and border health partners on how environmental systems are reshaping health across the Cali-Baja border region.  

5 Things To Know: Community Input Requested for San Diego County’s Legislative Program

The San Diego County Office of Economic Development and Governmental Affairs is seeking community input for the 2027 Legislative Program, which outlines the Board of Supervisors’ policy priorities at the state and federal levels. A virtual community forum will be held Aug. 25 from 5 to 6 p.m. (PT); the deadline to submit public comment is Sept. 14. To learn more or share feedback, visit Engage San Diego or email comments to legislative.program@sdcounty.ca.gov.  

5 Things To Know: California Health Care Foundation to Host Aug. 18 Webinar on CalAIM

An upcoming webinar — Making CalAIM Work in a Constrained Fiscal Environment — will explore practical strategies that health care organizations, managed care plans, county systems, and community-based organizations can use now to continue advancing coordinated, equitable care for Medi-Cal members. Jim Hickman, a CalAIM subject matter expert, will share insights from his work supporting county systems, managed care plans, providers, and health care innovators...

5 Things To Know: Chapter 6 and Assembly Bill 40 Regulations Now Final

The Office of Administrative Law has approved two regulations related to emergency departments: 

Implementation of Assembly Bill 40 (ambulance patient offload times) – in effect as of July 23, 2026 

Chapter 6 Specialty Designation and Regulations (trauma, STEMI/stroke, emergency medical services care for children) – effective Oct. 1 

Read more on the California Hospital Association website.

5 Things To Know: Webinar Will Detail Changes to CalFresh and Medi-Cal

On Aug. 13, the County of San Diego will host on telebriefing titled "Navigating CalFresh and Medi-Cal Changes." Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about who will be impacted and who remains eligible, what actions individuals and organizations should take, and resources to support impacted individuals. A Zoom link will be emailed after registration.

5 Things To Know: County Relaunches Air Improvement Relief Effort Program

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is now accepting applications for the Air Improvement Relief Effort Program, which provides air purifiers to eligible households affected by hydrogen sulfide produced by the transboundary wastewater and sewage flows near the Tijuana River Valley. Eligible households can receive up to three air purifiers and replacement filters, while supplies last.