As of July 1, hospitals must include specific language on any document that indicates the patient agrees to pay the hospital’s bill, per Senate Bill (SB) 1061 (2024). Failure to include the required language means the hospital cannot enforce the debt. More information, including sample language, is available in an article from the California Hospital Association.
Attendees at this year’s “Raising Awareness” event, to be held at the Ballard Parent Center from noon to 4 p.m. on July 26, will be able to connect with community members and learn about substance use and opioid overdose prevention resources. Presenters at the event will include San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and Bear Roots Founder Stephanie Carrasco, as well as representatives from the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health and the County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released the first phase of its Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) population-based prevention program guidance, covering requirements, statewide goals, and state-level prevention strategies. Feedback — which will help inform the program’s planning, development, and implementation — will be accepted through July 11 and can be shared through the online survey. Following this round of feedback, CDPH will release Phase 2 guidance addressing operational and administrative components.
On July 22, Justice in Aging will host a webinar intended to help reentry navigators, legal service providers, and aging advocates support formerly incarcerated seniors in accessing health care coverage. It will include instructions on enrolling in Medicare using the Incarceration Special Enrollment Period, accessing Medicare services while in community supervision, and accessing additional financial assistance and coverage through Medicaid. Registration is available online.
The Medicaid Pathways Program, offered by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), is a nine-month professional development program intended to support senior Medicaid staff’s leadership skills. The curriculum’s core components include practicing a competency-based leadership model, engaging in individual coaching, and applying the leadership curriculum. Senior leaders in Medicaid agencies from all states and territories are invited to apply by July 25.
American Medical Response, Inc. (AMR) — part of the Global Medical Response (GMR) family of companies — is committed to its mission of providing care to the world at a moment’s notice with a focus on:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Maya Angelou
Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center’s therapy dogs Elsa and Tazer help bring comfort to patients while they recover in the hospital.
Across the country, and here in California, as federal agents continue aggressive immigration enforcement, questions have been popping up among health care providers and patients alike about their security when accessing hospital care and other resources.
Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties has announced that applications are open for the new San Diego Resilient Response Fund. The fund is a collective effort by local funders, created to provide timely, flexible funding for organizations navigating the impacts of shifting federal policies and funding. Nonprofits may apply for funding in one of four categories: event and meeting support, immediate organizational needs, strategic response, or collaborative response.