The newsroom includes access to Council Connect, our twice-monthly newsletter on Hospital Council’s work. Key articles and issues of interest, along with the President’s Message, are included below.
Newsroom
Allies Are Essential in Strengthening Health Care and Communities
The word “ally” is both a noun and a verb, reminding us that true partnership is not just about who we are connected to, but about our shared goals — and the actions we take to support, strengthen, and advocate for one another.
Reps. Huffman and Thompson Hold Medicare Funding Press Conference in Sonoma
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
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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.
SB 43 Work Progresses in San Mateo, Santa Clara Counties
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
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Santa Clara County (SCC) has kicked off a workgroup to implement Senate Bill (SB) 43 (2023), which expands the definition of “gravely disabled” to include individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). In late March, the county behavioral health department will update the SCC Board of Supervisors on its plans for this effort.
Central Valley Hospital Incident Command System Liaison Officers to Meet
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
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On March 12, Hospital Council is hosting its regular meeting of Central Valley liaison officers, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a method for hospital incident command system liaison officers to share information with the public health department.
Supporting California’s Rural Hospitals Is Crucial
Rural hospitals work to bridge health disparities in underserved areas, particularly in communities with higher rates of chronic illness and lower socioeconomic status. California has roughly five dozen rural hospitals, including 37 critical access hospitals (CAHs) — rural hospitals that serve communities at least 35 miles from another medical facility. Unfortunately, many rural hospitals need more staffing and funding, the lack of which can threaten their ability to provide sustainable care and maintain facility improvements.
Dan Tsai Named San Francisco Public Health Director
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
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On Feb. 11, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie appointed Dan Tsai as the new public health director, replacing Grant Colfax, MD.
East Bay Hospitals Focus on Relationship Building in Support of 2025 Priorities
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
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Following the November 2024 election, the East Bay section’s priorities are to build relationships with newly elected officials throughout the section, as well as continue to educate and connect with our long-standing legislators and county supervisors on the critical issues facing hospitals. All three East Bay counties have new county health department leaders, so it is imperative to establish relationships with this important group.
Northern Sierra Hospitals Leverage Relationships to Support Medicare
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
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The shift to a Republican-led administration in Washington, D.C., increases the influence of California’s nine Republican U.S. Representatives. Many hospitals in the Northern Sierra have long-standing relationships with two of these nine: Reps. Kiley and LaMalfa.
Shining a Light on Disparities During Black History Month
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
February is Black History Month, a time to recognize the invaluable contributions and legacy of the Black community. While it is essential to uplift the voices of Black communities year-round, this month reminds us to reflect on the triumphs and struggles of those who have followed Ruth Janetta Temple, MD, in the fight for justice and equality.
Sonoma County Crisis Stabilization Unit Reopens
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After being closed for six months, Sonoma County’s crisis stabilization unit (CSU) reopened for patient care on Feb. 8.
