2008 HASD&IC REGIONAL PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES

During 2008, 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 during the year directed at improving access to care and increasing the number of insured.
Increase enrollment, retention and utilization of the region's Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs.
Work with County to implement a 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.
Increase positive community awareness about prevention.
Participate on five community boards.
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 collaboratives to build new community partnerships, assess local data and develop strategies to address workforce needs.

Achieve Equity in Health Care Funding to the Region

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.
Increase state and local funding for trauma and emergency care.
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.

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 value of hospitals as leaders in the community and in support of CHA’s Public Advocacy Program.

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

Assist and support CHA's state and federal legislative advocacy efforts by expanding regional involvement in grassroots efforts, especially California Hospital Association Political Action Committee (CHPAC) fund raising.