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
AARP Aims to Empower Residents with Fraud Tools, Resources
AARP California has launched its San Diego Scam Jam Tour, a series of free events designed to empower residents with the latest tools and resources to combat fraud and protect against identity theft. The tour runs from May through July in San Diego County and will feature fraud presentations, document-shredding events, and cybersecurity workshops. To attend, registration (but not AARP membership) is required.
Mandatory Neurodegenerative Disease Reporting Begins July 1
Starting July 1, providers diagnosing or treating patients with neurodegenerative diseases — such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s — are required to report each case to the California Neurodegenerative Disease Registry, run by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). To assist providers, CDPH has developed a Neurodegenerative Disease Guide to Reporting. Providers may also email the department at CDSRBhelp@cdph.ca.gov with questions.
Alzheimer’s Association to Host Community Info Series
The San Diego/Imperial County Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has partnered with California Estate and Elder Law on a series of events to help educate community members on Alzheimer’s warning signs, estate planning, and other related topics. For more details about the events, which run through Aug. 19, see the event flyer.
Upcoming Regional Collaborative Promotes Expanded Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment
At the CA Bridge Program’s free virtual regional collaborative on June 3 from 9-10:30 a.m. (PT), attendees can connect with both regional and statewide leaders in the substance use disorder treatment field and learn how to influence Behavioral Health Services Act priorities for their county. Registration is open via Zoom.
Time is Running Out to Claim More Than $5 Billion in Settlement Opportunities
Providers may still be eligible to recover funds from class action settlements with upcoming deadlines, more than $5 billion in total is available, including:
County of San Diego Seeks Information on Online Medical Direction for EMS Providers
Responses to the County of San Diego Emergency Medical Services Office’s request for information on implementation of a new online medical direction system for the region’s emergency medical services (EMS) providers are due by June 2.
Advancing the Fight for Better Mental Health Resources
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when all who are committed to helping those living with mental health conditions can pause to reflect on the meaning of their work. This is also a time for us to continue fostering greater awareness, empathy, and understanding for those in need of care.
Making the Hospital Voice Heard in the Upcoming Special Election
In less than two months, San Diego County will hold a special general election for a vacant seat in the county’s First Supervisorial District for the remainder of the current term.
HQI Can Help with Mandatory AB 1204 Reporting
This year, California hospitals are required to submit detailed health equity reports under Assembly Bill 1204 (2021) — a process that is daunting and tedious, with dozens of measures and hundreds of required fields. The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) can help by providing a ready-to-upload report — due to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information by Sept. 30 — that’s greater than 95% complete (hospitals just need to fill in their equity plan). Visit HQI’s website to learn more.
CHA Urges Timely, Targeted Distribution of Prop 35 Funding in Comments to DHCS
On April 25, the California Hospital Association (CHA) submitted to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recommendations on how to best allocate Proposition (Prop) 35 funding in 2025 and beyond. In the letter, CHA urges DHCS to fully expend Prop 35 funds on hospital providers in a way that is timely, easy to implement, allows for ongoing flexibility, and can be targeted. More details are available in last week’s CHA News article.
