The HASD&IC Biweekly Briefing provides timely news and information for HASD&IC members and associates and is published on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Key articles and issues of interest from each publication, along with the President’s Message, are included below.
Newsroom
For Thousands in Our Region, Consequences of Federal Legislation Begin at the Dinner Table
For all the recent discussion about the pending financial implications of last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the consequences are becoming very real as changes to CalFresh eligibility take effect, placing basic nutrition and health at risk for thousands in San Diego and Imperial counties.
5 Things To Know: State Submits Hospital Fee Program 10
Last week, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submitted its Hospital Fee Program tax model for calendar year 2026 (Program 10) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The submission is expected to generate about $5.76 billion annually in net benefits for hospitals, though hospital-specific impacts are not yet available because...
5 Things To Know: Imperial County to Host 45th Annual Children’s Fair
The Imperial County Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Imperial County Office of Education are co-sponsoring the 45th Annual Children’s Fair on April 18 at Bucklin Park in El Centro. The event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature a day of fun, family activities, and community celebration dedicated to...
5 Things To Know: East County to Celebrate Opening of Crisis Stabilization Unit
The East Region Crisis Stabilization Unit is a new behavioral health facility serving adults (18+) at 200 S. Magnolia Ave. in El Cajon. The community is invited to RSVP to celebrate this new East County resource with a ribbon-cutting event on April 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. Guests will learn about available behavioral health...
5 Things To Know: HASD&IC Joins Lawmakers, Hospital Leaders at San Diego Health Care Roundtable
SOn March 20, HASD&IC President & CEO Dimitrios Alexiou, along with staff from the California Hospital Association, participated in a health care roundtable hosted by state Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Carlsbad) and Scripps Health. The event, held at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, brought together California lawmakers and health care leaders from the San Diego region to...
5 Things To Know: San Diego County Shares Elevated Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure Resources
San Diego County Public Health Services has acknowledged the significant challenges patients and those who work or live in the Tijuana River Valley (TJRV) area face with continued elevations in hydrogen sulfide levels, which can be tracked via the Air Pollution Control District (APCD)’s website. Due to ongoing sewage infrastructure construction on the other side...
Reflections from the 2026 ACHE Congress
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Annual Congress in Houston.
DHCS to Host Webinar on Real-Time Behavioral Health Data Sharing Requirements
On March 30 at 11 a.m. (PT), the Department of Health Care Services will host a webinar on recently announced real-time behavioral health data sharing requirements for managed care plans, county mental health plans, Drug Medi-Cal organized delivery systems, and Drug Medi-Cal counties.
Action Needed by March 20 on CHA’s Two Sponsored Bills
Last week, the California Hospital Association issued a dual alert asking members to sign on to coalition letters for its two sponsored bills: Assembly Bill (AB) 2353 (Pacheco, D-Downey), which would require an independent cost evaluation of mandates on hospitals, and AB 1923 (Soria, D-Merced), which would revive the Distressed Hospital Loan Program.
Imperial County Approves Program to Support LVN Workforce
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved the release of a request for proposals for licensed vocational nurse (LVN) mentorship services, funded through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act dollars at no cost to the county’s general fund.
