CENTRAL VALLEY: Fresno EMS Corps is accepting applications for a five-month training program that prepares students for careers in emergency medical services (EMS). Hospital Council supported grant funding for the program, which aims to address the area’s emergency medical technician shortage by making it easier to pursue these careers. Supports include assistance finding jobs, life coaching, and a stipend for those enrolled in the program.
EAST BAY: On June 23, Vallejo opened its first and only homeless navigation center after years of delays. Solano County’s three health systems — Kaiser Permanente, NorthBay Health, and Sutter Solano Medical Center — contributed a collective $6.2 million to support center operations.
NORTHERN SIERRA: New data shed light on the health care workforce shortage in Shasta County, which has grown severe enough to prompt the local health officer to declare a public health crisis. Of the residents surveyed, 96% reported experiencing a shortage of doctors and 57% reported having conditions mis- or un-diagnosed due to a lack of primary or specialty care. Mercy Redding, other providers, and Partnership Health Plan have worked for years and made significant investments to improve the situation.
REDWOOD COAST / NORTH BAY: Sonoma County hospital CEOs welcomed incoming Department of Health Services Director Nolan Sullivan, who shared hospitals’ support for the county’s harm reduction vending machines — particularly given that overdose deaths in Sonoma County have doubled over the past year. In jeopardy due to federal funding losses, these machines support public health by providing Narcan, fentanyl test strips, condoms, hygiene kits, and sterile syringes.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY: On June 30, Hospital Council joined Sacramento-area hospital leaders to meet with Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty. Discussion focused on dramatic improvement in ambulance patient offload times, as well as challenges posed by two recent trends in Sacramento — the Sacramento Police Department is choosing not to respond to most behavioral health calls, and the city is more aggressively enforcing its camping prohibition by dispersing many homeless encampments. Both trends cause worrisome health impacts.
SAN FRANCISCO / MARIN: At a recent Board of Supervisors hearing, officials acknowledged that San Franciso’s early adoption of Senate Bill (SB) 43’s reforms (which expanded conservatorship eligibility) has resulted in no measurable impact; since the law took effect, San Francisco has not initiated a single conservatorship based on SB 43’s expanded criteria. Lack of adequate funding, available beds, and conservators to oversee cases have hobbled efforts.
SOUTH BAY: At the June 24 Santa Clara County Health and Hospital Committee meeting, the county announced a potential $1 billion budget shortfall due to federal and state cuts — which will have significant and potentially devastating effects on the region’s health care and emergency services.