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
Volunteers Are the Heartbeat of an Organization
Next week, health care leaders throughout the San Diego region will join to honor and celebrate the women and men who give selflessly to support hospitals.
5 Things To Know: Clinical Town Hall Covers Tijuana River Valley Sewage Flow Troubles, CASPER Survey Results
A webinar held by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency and the San Diego Medical Society — intended for licensed and other essential medical professionals within the community — will cover the current transboundary sewage flow situation. Presenters will also share what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey results reveal about how sewage and pollution affect patients who live or work in the Tijuana River Valley area. Registration for the event, held April 30 from 6-7 p.m. (PT), is open.
5 Things To Know: DHCS Seeks Public Comment on Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released significant updates to the Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual and opened the public comment period for the Module 3 draft. This draft provides clear guidance on integrated plan submission and approval processes, budget templates, integrated plan templates, and measures for population goals. It will support counties as they prepare to submit their first integrated plans in 2026. Online comments and feedback are encouraged and accepted until 4 p.m. (PT) on April 25.
Volunteers Are the Heartbeat of the Hospital
Hospitals are only able to provide essential care to patients because many dedicated people come together every day to help those in need. No one exemplifies this dedication more than California’s hospital volunteers. Next week, April 21-27, is National Volunteer Week, and it is a time for us to reflect on the selflessness, kindness, and generosity that can sometimes go unseen and unrecognized. It’s also a time to say thank you.
5 Things To Know: County Budget Open House Event Aims to Educate Residents
The County of San Diego is hosting a Budget Informational Open House at the Kearny Mesa Operations Center on April 17 from 5-7 p.m., where the community can learn about the budget planning process and how to get involved, as well as services the county offers. Staff members are currently working on a balanced recommended 2025-2026 budget to present to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on May 1, which would go into effect July 1 if approved.
5 Things To Know: San Diego County Medi-Cal Dashboard Goes Live
San Diego County’s new Medi-Cal Dashboard contains key insights on Medi-Cal beneficiaries by health delivery system (fee-for-service and managed care) and by Medicare enrollment status (dually enrolled in Medicare and Medi-Cal, and Medi-Cal only). HASD&IC participated in the review process group that supported the county in bringing this valuable tool to the community.
5 Things To Know: TERO Violence Prevention Training Takes a Behavioral Approach
On May 8 from 8-11 a.m. (PT), the San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center Threat Liaison Officer Unit is hosting an introductory Threat Evaluation and Reporting Overview (TERO) training to raise participants’ awareness about the risk factors, triggers, stressors, and warning behaviors that may affect a person’s decision to commit an act of targeted violence. This awareness enhances a person’s ability to identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate. Registration is open.
HASD&IC Board Meeting Highlights
The HASD&IC Board of Directors convened on March 19. Board Chair and Palomar Health CEO Diane Hansen, CPA, officiated.
Creating Space: The Power of Storytelling in Health Care Advocacy
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the American College of Healthcare Executives Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Houston, Texas, alongside more than 7,000 colleagues from across the country. It was an incredible opportunity to connect, reflect, and look ahead in the ever-evolving health care landscape. Amid the daily demands of our work, this gathering provided a moment to pause and appreciate what we have accomplished at HASD&IC and with our regional partners — while also acknowledging the work still ahead to ensure all Californians have access to reliable, high-quality care.
5 Things To Know: Hospital Leaders Must Let Congress Know Californians Support Medi-Cal
On March 3, the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) released a statewide poll that found Californians across party lines overwhelmingly support Medi-Cal. As Congress works on a federal budget for 2026 that could result in devastating cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), it is imperative that hospital leaders let members of Congress know directly the impact these cuts will have on the people and communities they represent.
