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. Media statements and press releases can also be found here.
Newsroom
It’s Hard to Think ‘Bolder and Brighter’ When the Situation Feels Dire
Bolder. Brighter.
The two words connote a positive tone — progress, fearlessness, courageousness. They also happened to be the theme of the 2023 American College of Healthcare Executives Congress, where health leaders gathered to explore practical solutions to the challenges we face today, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
5 Things To Know: COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program, Medi-Cal and CalFresh, Funding Opportunity, Health Plans, COVID-19 Health Orders
COVID-19 UNINSURED GROUP PROGRAM: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is clarifying that coverage for this group expires on May 31 — the last day of the month in which the COVID-19 public health emergency ends — not May 11. California has taken advantage of the “optional COVID-19 group,” which provides uninsured and underinsured individuals with Medi-Cal coverage for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment at no cost to the individual through the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program. Beginning March 20, DHCS will send the individuals in this group a sunset notice in their preferred language with a copy of the “Application for Health Insurance” and a “Notice of Language Services.”
It’s Time to Get Serious About Fixing the EMS System
Back in the ’70s, when the EMS system of today was in its infancy, the needs of those it served were much different. In those days, the system was designed largely to handle traffic accidents — which, in the absence of seat belt laws, airbags, and other safety features — often resulted in much more […]
Hospitals in Need of a Lifeline
Few hospitals in California are immune from the financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, years of Medi-Cal underfunding, and ongoing inflationary pressures. And hospitals in our region are no different. That’s why an agreement reached earlier this week that will allow UC San Diego Health to temporarily assume full operational, clinical, and financial […]
5 Things To Know: Overdose to Action Grant, Behavioral Health Workforce Development, Patient Safety Webinars, Medi-Cal RX Update, Equity Working Group Webinar
OVERDOSE TO ACTION GRANT: San Diego County is a recipient of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant, which focuses on overdose surveillance and prevention. Along with community-focused overdose prevention activities, a key strategy of OD2A is supporting San Diego licensed prescribers (i.e., physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists). The county’s OD2A team has also developed an OD2A quarterly newsletter specifically for licensed prescribers. Since 2016, opioid-related drug deaths in the San Diego region have been on the increase. Overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl almost tripled from 2019 to 2020 and accounted for 77% of opioid-related deaths in 2020, compared to 45% in 2019. The highest rate of opioid overdose deaths, in 2020, was in the Central region, followed by the East and North Coastal regions. These data are used by the county to guide overdose prevention activities.
5 Things To Know: COVID-19 in Nursing Homes, CHA Alert, Behavioral Health Initiative Grant Funding, Expiration of Temporary Waivers, Waivers for Justice-Involved Individuals
COVID-19 IN NURSING HOMES: People living in nursing homes continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
If hospitals have questions or want to discuss strategies, please contact Lindsey C. Yourman, MD, chief geriatric officer, San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency, at LindseyC.Yourman@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Preparing for the End of the Public Health Emergency and Title 42
Come May 11, your hospitals could have fewer tools to manage increasing volumes. That’s because May 11 is the date the federal public health emergency expires, and likely along with it — Title 42. This pandemic-era policy was put in place under the Trump administration and allowed the United States to turn away or rapidly […]
HASD&IC Board Meeting Highlights
The HASD&IC Board of Directors convened on Jan. 18. Board Chair Patrick Frias, MD, President & CEO of Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego, officiated. The other 2023 officers are as follows: Appreciation was expressed to Steve Dietlin of Tri-City Healthcare District for his leadership and service to the board. Steve will be retiring in […]
Welcome to VA San Diego Healthcare System Director Frank Pearson, DPT, PA-C
Frank P. Pearson, DPT, PA-C, who was recently appointed director of VA San Diego Healthcare System, has also been appointed as a representative on the HASD&IC Board of Directors. Dr. Pearson served as a director at the VA Syracuse Healthcare System from June 2020 to December 2022. Dr. Pearson, a retired U.S. Navy captain, held […]
Steve Dietlin of Tri-City Healthcare District Announces Retirement
Tri-City Healthcare District (TCHD) President and CEO Steve Dietlin has announced his retirement effective in late March 2023, following 10 years of executive leadership with the health care district. Dietlin joined TCHD in 2013 as the chief financial officer and was instrumental in orchestrating a financial turnaround of the district. He was appointed to the […]
