Section Update
SF’s New Public Health Director to Focus on Improving Mental Health Care
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Last week, Hospital Council met with Dan Tsai, the new director of the San Francisco Public Health Department (SFPHD). Tsai’s primary focus in his work with hospitals will be improving the 5150 hold process, in support of Mayor Lurie’s “Breaking the Cycle” directive. Through that work, the city will seek to connect SF’s most complex patients to treatment and services.
Hospital Council Urges Merced County to Investigate Delays in Processing Medi-Cal Applications
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Last week, Hospital Council learned that some hospitals in Merced County are struggling to receive timely reimbursement for services covered through Medi-Cal, the result of an application backlog. Hospital Council is looking into the scope of the issue and plans to urge Merced County to investigate. Timely application processing is critical to ensure hospitals, which already face significant financial strain, are appropriately reimbursed for the care they provide.
Hospitals and Partnership HealthPlan Talk Medicaid, Workforce, and More
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Northern Sierra Section hospitals gathered at Plumas District Hospital in Quincy last month to meet with leadership from PHC, the section’s Medi-Cal managed care plan. The group discussed shared concerns about proposed cuts to Medicaid, especially provider tax programs, that would be devastating for many rural providers and communities.
Alameda County Considers Specialty Care Diversion Policy
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ALCO EMS is considering a new specialty care diversion policy modeled on existing policies in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Under such a policy, ALCO EMS could suspend a hospital’s ST-elevation myocardial infarction or stroke designation when the hospital is experiencing prolonged ambulance patient offload times (APOTs).
Providence Gifts Crucial Dollars to Behavioral Health Triage Project in Arcata
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Hospital and health care leaders recently gathered to celebrate a landmark $2 million donation from Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka to support the development of a new behavioral health triage center on the Mad River Community Hospital campus in Arcata.
Santa Clara County Health System Expands
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On April 1, the Santa Clara County Health System became the second largest health system in California when it assumed operation of Regional Medical Center (RMC). The county hired 98% of existing RMC employees, and obtained approval and redesignation of RMC’s trauma II and ST-elevation myocardial infarction services.
Solano County Establishes SB 43 Implementation Workgroup
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Senate Bill (SB) 43, which was signed into law in 2023, expands the definition of “gravely disabled” for the involuntary detention, treatment, or conservatorship of individuals with behavioral health conditions to include those living with severe substance use disorders. Solano County will implement the new law on Jan. 1, 2026, and has established an SB 43 workgroup that is meeting bimonthly. Solano County hospitals and Hospital Council participate in this meeting along with other stakeholders.
San Francisco to Open New Police-Friendly Stabilization Center
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In April, San Francisco will open a 24/7 police-friendly stabilization center at 822 Geary Street, where police officers can drop off people with urgent mental health and substance abuse needs so they can receive medical care. The goal is to keep people out of jails and emergency departments (EDs) and the city’s limited law enforcement resources on the street. With powers granted by the recently passed Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance, the city is able to expedite the center’s opening.
Reps. Huffman and Thompson Hold Medicare Funding Press Conference in Sonoma
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On March 7, Reps. Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman hosted a press conference highlighting the critical role of hospital funding in Sonoma County and beyond. Hospital Council participated, along with county supervisors, clinics, hospitals, and patients — all sharing powerful stories about the real-life impact of Medi-Cal and Medicare funding.