Meetings Focus on Health Care Safety Net
San Diego County will hold a series of town hall meetings to collect public opinions about the ability of the region's hospitals, clinics and doctors to provide adequate care for low-income residents, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The meetings will be conducted by the Abaris Group, which has a contract with the county Health and Human Services Agency to compile a report on the health care needs of different areas of the county compared with available services.
The report likely will include analyses of:
- Projected age demographics over the next 15 to 20 years, and what medical services will be available to the very young and very old;
- Technological improvements' effects on ambulance diversions;
- Transportation issues that could affect patients' access to care; and
- The County Medical Service program for low-income adults.
County officials commissioned the report after some residents criticized a plan to relocate the acute medical care division at the University of California-San Diego Medical Center campus in Hillcrest. Critics said the move would lessen hospital choice and require Scripps Mercy hospital in Hillcrest to absorb too many trauma cases, according to the Union-Tribune (Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/4). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.