Section Update

Projects Launch in Central Valley

Who What Hospital Council is partnering with hospitals, public health, and nonprofits to conduct analyses of the health landscape of the Central California EMSA (serving Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties).    Currently, Hospital Council is kicking off the counties’ community health needs assessment process, which is a collaboration between hospitals and public health.    In addition, […]

Redwood Coast Hospitals Discuss Pressing Issues

Who What The leaders of the five hospitals representing Del Norte and Humboldt counties gathered in person on April 16 to welcome Mike Lane (Sutter Coast) and Michael Keleman (Providence Eureka and Redwood) to the section and discuss pressing hospital issues. All leaders present expressed concern over workforce availability and cost; Humboldt and Del Norte […]

Community Responds to Service Line Adjustments in Santa Clara

Who What In February, Regional Medical Center of San Jose, an HCA hospital, announced plans to close its level two trauma, ST-elevation myocardial infarction program, and downgrade the current comprehensive stroke designation to a primary stroke designation. In late April, the Santa Clara EMSA presented its Health Impact Report to the Santa Clara County Board […]

Next Gen Workforce Pipeline Talks Begin in Santa Clara

Who What Thirteen health care leaders from hospitals, community clinics, skilled-nursing facilities, and behavioral health facilities joined a conversation on health care workforce challenges. They discussed a framework to address the challenges using a collaboration methodology called Next Gen Health Sector Partnerships.    The April 16 meeting resulted in the creation of workgroups on:  Takeaway/Next Steps […]

Addressing Emergency Department Challenges in Northern Sierra

Who What Hospital Council efforts to sustain rural ambulance services continue. The newly formed coalition of state associations, LEMSAs, ambulance providers, county supervisors, and other entities will move next to do an analysis. While all members of the coalition are aware of the rural ambulance service crisis and its potential to worsen, data and patient […]

Addressing Inmate Emergency Department Transport Protocols

Who What At a meeting convened by Hospital Council on March 20, SFD shared concerns about communication and protocols on when the county jail uses emergency medical services (EMS) providers to transport inmates to community hospitals. In 2023, SFD transported over 660 inmates to hospitals, though hospital staff determined many did not need hospital-level care. […]

North Bay Leaders Discuss Workforce and Access

Who What The North Bay Section gathered in person on March 13 to hear an overview of Hospital Council and CHA’s 2024 priorities and discuss health care workforce development. Highlights include:   Takeaway/Next Steps Participants noted their appreciation for having a space where they can speak candidly with colleagues and learn from one another’s experience. Hospital […]

Central Valley CEOs Meet with Sen. Anna Caballero 

Who What On March 18, Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced) met with hospital CEOs in the Central Valley portions of her district. The CEOs thanked the senator for her authorship of the California Hospital Association’s (CHA) current seismic legislation. Over the course of the productive conversation, CEOs also shared their priorities and concerns, chief among them […]

Coalition Forms to Address Rural Ambulance Services

Who What A new coalition of legislators, emergency medical professionals, county representatives, and Hospital Council staff met to discuss the prevention of more closures and reduction of rural ambulance services in California. Ambulance providers closing or reducing services has become commonplace in rural areas, with response times in some areas ranging from many hours to […]

San Francisco Health Commission Hearing Discusses Dignity Health Hospital Acquisitions

Who What Recently, the San Francisco Health Commission concluded the second of two Proposition Q (Community Health Care Planning Ordinance) hearings related to UCSF Health’s acquisition of Dignity Health’s Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and Saint Mary’s Medical Center. These mandatory hearings provide oversight and apply to sales, acquisitions, mergers, and other transactions that may impact […]