What a difference a year makes. Last year around this time, a massive vaccination effort began as COVID-19 shots began rolling out to sites around the country — and it hasn’t really stopped. Although many had been hopeful that the vaccines could help us put the pandemic behind us once and for all, that reality hasn’t quite panned out. But that shouldn’t stop anyone from taking time this holiday season to celebrate and reflect on how far we’ve come.
COVID-19 VACCINATIONS BY ZIP CODE: San Diego County’s Weekly COVID-19 Surveillance Report shows the percentage (as of Dec. 4) of the total population of San Diego County residents who are fully vaccinated, by ZIP code of residence. Note that the data only include vaccines that have been recorded in the San Diego Immunization Registry. Some health care providers, including Veteran’s Affairs, the Department of Defense, some tribal entities, and prisons, do not report to the registry.
Thank you to all who attended the HASD&IC annual meeting on Nov. 15-18. It was a chance to gather — albeit virtually — to hear about the issues important to hospitals and our members.
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: A reminder that monoclonal antibodies are available for early treatment of COVID-19 in both San Diego and Imperial counties. More information, including treatment sites and how to refer patients, is available for San Diego County and Imperial County providers. In addition, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is requesting that providers complete by Dec. 3 an updated survey to help understand how frequently monoclonal antibodies are being used at health care facilities (both for treatment and as post-exposure prophylaxis). This information will be used to ensure that CDPH adequately addresses supply, education, and/or resource gaps. The updated survey includes new questions to reflect the evolving landscape of distribution. Health care facilities are encouraged to complete the survey, even if they completed it previously.
Next week, many of us will gather with our families and friends and pause to reflect on all that we are thankful for. For some it might be the food and drink, for some it might be a new member of the family, and for still others it might just be the simple act of getting together — something that wasn’t advised last year.
IMPERIAL COUNTY LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY: The Local Health Authority Commission met in closed session on Nov. 8 for discussion of current and potential contracting models relating to Knox Keene licensing, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 14087.38 (m) (n).
HASD&IC’s Annual Meeting, which will be held virtually Nov. 15-18, is fast approaching. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to register now.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: On Oct. 19, the Board of Supervisors passed a motion to increase shelters and safe parking lots with wrap-around services for those experiencing homelessness in the East County. The board took the following actions:
Although we haven’t been able to gather in person since 2019, HASD&IC is happy to announce that we will once again host our annual meeting — albeit virtually — next month.
MANAGED CARE PLAN RFP UPDATE: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has adjusted the release date of the Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Request for Proposal (RFP) to Feb. 2, 2022. Although the RFP was scheduled to be released at the end of this year, the change will not affect the implementation date of Jan. 1, 2024. Additional time is needed to address stakeholder comments received during the comment period for the draft RFP. Updates to the RFP schedule will be posted on the DHCS website. HASD&IC will continue to engage with County of San Diego officials on the process. The Imperial County Board of Supervisors has approved the adoption of a single-managed care plan model through an 1115 Waiver.