2010 HASD&IC REGIONAL PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES

During 2010, HASD&IC will focus on the following public policy priorities:

Reduce the Number of Uninsured Residents in the Region

Participate actively in federal, state, and regional health care reform planning directed at improving access to care and increasing the number of insured.
Advocate to increase enrollment, retention and utilization of the region's Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs.
Work with County to continue to improve the web-based referral system for the medically indigent population.

Increase the Number of Community Members Practicing Prevention

Participate in community health improvement forums in San Diego and Imperial counties.
Advocate to increase positive community awareness about prevention.
Participate on five community boards.
Advocate to improve community health status indicators.
Participate in collaborative efforts to address chronic disease issues in the community.

Maximize Member Involvement in Community Health Collaboratives

Maintain member participation in community health collaboratives covering all areas of the region.
As opportunities arise, serve as convener and/or partner for planning and development of collaborative community-wide health improvement initiatives.

Assure the Availability of a Health Care Infrastructure and Workforce to Meet Regional Needs

Continue to heighten awareness of the workforce shortage in the region.
Work with local and statewide collaboratives to build and strengthen community partnerships, assess local data, and develop and implement strategies to address workforce needs.

Achieve Equity in Health Care Funding to the Region

Advocate to secure funding parity with Medi-Cal under the local County Medical Services (CMS) and Behavioral Health programs.
Work with local and state elected officials to achieve state average per capita net San Diego County health costs (county general funds) and increase Imperial County health funding.
Maintain the commitment of tobacco settlement funds to health with a majority of funds allocated to expanding health care coverage.
Work with County to leverage and enhance state and federal health care funding streams.
Secure regional funding for nurse education and workforce initiatives.

Preserve and Strengthen the Health Care Safety Net

Preserve current levels of funding to the health care safety net.
Advocate to increase state and local funding for trauma and emergency care, including treatment of indigent patients requiring psychiatric services and/or mental health patients on a 5150 hold in LPS-designated hospitals.
Continue to work with local government regarding recommendations and practices resulting from the San Diego County Healthcare Safety Net Study conducted by the Abaris Group.
Support the development of comprehensive health care reform at the state and national levels, while ensuring hospital interests are well-represented at the local level.

Improve Collaboration Among Regional Health Care Providers and the Community

Strengthen a common agenda with community health centers and medical societies in the region.
Expand partnership with the business community.
Strengthen partnership with the academic community.
Continue to educate the public on the critical issues facing hospitals and in support of CHA’s Public Advocacy Program.
Support hospital improvements in quality and patient safety through education, networking, sharing best practices, and communication with statewide collaboratives.

Promote Regional Disaster Planning

Provide leadership for the regional disaster planning process on behalf of hospitals.
Expand planning efforts for a system-wide response by hospitals relative to increasing surge capacity.
Manage community expectation of hospitals to be the "first responders".
Strengthen communications relative to disaster planning with hospital members, community partners and the public.

California Hospital Association

Coordinate grassroots activities in support of CHA's public policy priorities; including fundraising for the California Hospital Association Political Action Committee (CHPAC), developing strong relationships with key legislators, coordinating district legislative visits, responding to CHA Alerts, and supporting CHA’s Health Policy Legislative Cay and California Congressional Action Program.