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It is hard to believe that 2016 is coming to a close and that the Holidays and New Year are just around the corner. The ACHD team offers special thanks to all of our Association members for your continued support and engagement this year. This year, a record number of leaders from Healthcare Districts throughout California have participated on Board, Committees, Work Groups and other Association assignments. Your involvement is directly responsible and is reflective of Legislative and Association accomplishments. And while there will always be legislative and political challenges ahead for Healthcare Districts, together 2016 helped build a framework for continued
collaboration and achievement.
Taken together, Healthcare Districts continue to be State leaders in the provision of necessary health services to the communities we serve. California Healthcare Districts are responding to health care reform by demonstrating leadership in reshaping how services are delivered and by providing high quality cost effective appropriate services to significant populations. Districts are at the forefront of community collaboration and cooperation, frequently leading the efforts that are underway to create more efficient services by healthcare organizations. By the time the New Year arrives, the Boards of ACHD and BETA will have completed the merger of ALPHA Fund to form BETArma. This merger establishes the new BETArma as the State's premier comprehensive provider of self-funded insurance products for Healthcare Districts and non-profit members.
This is the time of year to pause, reflect and celebrate the various health care benefits that you have bestowed on the residents that you serve. You are all awesome!
ACHD is truly grateful for our work with you throughout the past year.
Because the goodwill of those we serve is the foundation of our success, it is a real pleasure at this holiday time to say "thank you" as we wish you a full year of happiness and success.
May you and your loved ones soar into a new year filled with health, happiness and good fortune.
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 In Case You Missed It... Healthcare District News from Around the State |
   
Tahoe Forest Health System wins regional innovation award
At the Hospital Council of Northern & Central California's recent 2016 Summit in Napa, Calif., Tahoe Forest Health System won the Innovation Challenge for its new Blue Life wellness program.
Click here
to read the full article.
Deal reached to sell site to Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District
The College of the Redwoods announced Wednesday that it has reached a tentative agreement to sell its Garberville site to the Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District for $1.1 million.
Click here
to read the full article.
Ribbon-cutting represents new beginnings for Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District
As of November 1, Adventist Health officially took over the operations of the Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District facilities with a big ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the old hospital.
Click here
to read the full article.
Tulare Regional Medical Center tackles diabetes
To highlight National Diabetes month and World Diabetes Day on November 14, HCCA/Tulare Regional Medical Center introduces its recently developed Diabetes Management program.
Click here
to read the full article.
Tahoe Forest Hospital implements new CPR program
Tahoe Forest Health System knows the importance of high-quality CPR in saving more lives.
Click here
to read the full article.
Desert Healthcare District Funds Lifestream Prostate Cancer Treatment Program through Advanced Technology Purchase
Desert Healthcare District recently approved funding to LifeStream Prostate Cancer Treatment Program to purchase new advanced cellular collection technology.
Click here
to read the full article.
Healthcare providers honored at Avenue of Excellence Awards Dinner
Community appreciation for three leading healthcare providers rang out loud and proud during the inaugural Avenue of Excellence Awards Dinner hosted by the Northern Inyo Hospital Foundation.
Click here
to read the full article.
El Camino Hospital broke ground on a new mental health inpatient center aimed at making the Mountain View hospital a center of behavioral health in the Bay Area.
Click here
to read the full article.
Mark Twain Medical Center earns awards for quality patient care
Dignity Health, which operates the hospital for the Mark Twain Health Care District, recently presented MTMC with an award for sepsis management based on a substantial reduced mortality rate.
Click here
to read the full article.
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Register Today for Leadership Academy!
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The Leadership Academy is designed to provide new and experienced trustees and executives with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively govern a Healthcare District. Healthcare District Executives, Board Clerks and Secretaries to the Board are encouraged to take advantage of this educational opportunity.
The program content is approved by the Association's Board of Directors and Education Committee and is divided into five general sections:
- ACHD's Advocacy and Membership Benefits Overview;
- Public financials;
- Board culture and strategic governance;
- Effective Messaging;
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs), and;
- Brown Act and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
The information provided will help you utilize the insights and knowledge gained through your participation in the Leadership Academy to enhance your role as a District Trustee or Executive.
We encourage you to attend our Leadership Academy and networking with fellow Districts in Sacramento, at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel
!
Schedule:
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Feb 2
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7:30 am
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Breakfast
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8:30 am
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Welcome
Ken Cohen, Executive Director, ACHD
Tom Wander, Chief Executive Officer, BETA Healthcare Group
Overview of ACHD, Advocacy, Member Services and Outreach
Amber King, Senior Legislative Advocate, ACHD
Sheila Johnston, Member Services, ACHD
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9:45 am |
Leadership in the New Reality
William "Bill" Chiat, President and Principal Consultant, Alta Mesa Group |
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10:45 am
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LAFCo 101
Pamela Miller, Executive Director, CALAFCO
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12:00 pm
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Best Practices in Effective Healthcare District Messaging
Jean Hurst, Partner, Hurst Brooks Espinosa
Amanda Gordon, Community Affairs Manager, Camarillo Healthcare District
Elly Garner, Director, Government Affairs, Palomar Health
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1:30 pm
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Board Culture and Strategic Governance
Robert Nelson, Nelson Strategic Consulting
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3:00 pm
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Session 1: The Brown Act and Fair Political Practices Commission: AB 1234 Training
Gary Winuk, Counsel, Kaufman Legal Group
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5:30 pm
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Feb 3
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7:30 am
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Breakfast
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8:45 am
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Session 2: The Brown Act and Fair Political Practices Commission: AB 1234 Training
Gary Winuk, Counsel, Kaufman Legal Group
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10:15 am
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Public Sector Financials
Rich Gianello, Partner, HFS Consultants
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12:00 pm
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Closing Lunch
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Costs:
- Member: $150/attendee
- Non-Member: $300/attendee
- Guest: $100 (Meals only)
Registration fees include all meals.
Click here
to register for the Leadership Academy.
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Schedule of Events for 2017
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ACHD has completed scheduling all events for 2017. To access the calendar, please visit our website
.
In addition to Leadership Academy, ACHD hosts two other educational events you don't want to miss. Please save the dates in your calendar for ACHD's Legislative Day and Annual Meeting!
Legislative Day
When: April 3-4, 2017
Where: Hyatt Regency, Sacramento, 1209 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95815
Event: Legislative Day is an opportunity for Healthcare District Trustees and Administrators to connect with Legislative Representatives at the State Capitol. The educational program will provide detailed information regarding the most pressing legislative issues, while creating opportunities for Trustees and Administrators to foster relationships with state lawmakers.
65th Annual Meeting
When: September 13-15, 2017
Where: Kona Kai Resort and Spa, 1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Event: As the state of health care continues to evolve and the pace of change continues to increase, we wonder: how will our important Member Districts evolve to meet the challenges ahead and continue to serve their communities? ACHD's Annual Meeting will provide opportunities to hear different perspectives on a wide variety of topics, ranging from effective governance to advancing the health in your communities, while providing opportunities to share your experience and views with your Healthcare District colleagues.
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Capitol Update: Newly Elected Legislators
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On January 4th, 2017, California's statewide elected officals return to Sacramento. This is a great opportunity for your District trustees and constituents to become familiar with their representatives. Good ways to help your legislator get to know you include:
- Sending letters to your legislator about bills relevant to Healthcare Districts
- Inviting your legislator to visit your Healthcare District for a tour, meeting, or reception
- Visiting the Capitol for a meeting with your legislator at ACHD's Legislative Day
For the full Senate roster, please click
here.
For the full Assembly roster, please click
here.
ACHD is looking forward to meeting all the newly elected officials as the new session begins. Stay tuned as our Advocacy Team brings you updates on bills as they are introduced.
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Little Hoover Commission Update
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As you know, the Little Hoover Commission held an advisory meeting reviewing Healthcare Districts on November 16th. The meeting agenda and submitted comments can be found on the Commission's website,
here
. The meeting was intended to provide an opportunity for the Commission to learn more about Healthcare Districts and have an open dialogue about how Districts fit into the broader health care system in California. The full invited participant list can be found
here
.
Overall, the meeting went well, with Healthcare Districts providing important information to the Commissioners on how they serve their communities' health needs. There was significant discussion regarding the need for Healthcare Districts as government entities in light of health services provided by counties, and how Districts are collaborating with other local agencies and ensuring services are not duplicated. Additionally, there was a discussion about the LAFCO process and whether they are the appropriate agency for Healthcare District oversight. Commissioner Beier's concluding question focused on how Healthcare Districts are measuring outcomes of programs, sharing information, and best practices among all types of Healthcare Districts, especially District Hospitals. Chairman Nava wrapped up the meeting by commenting that the Commission's goal was to help Districts fulfill their missions in the most effective way.
The Little Hoover Commission will release a report of the meeting, which will likely be public the week of December 12th. The full special district report is anticipated in early spring of 2017.
Please contact Amber King at (916) 266-5207 or
[email protected] with any questions or information on how to best connect with the Commission staff.
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Update Your Information!
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With the most recent election completed, ACHD has started updating our databases for accuracy. As such, we are seeking the most current contact information for current and newly elected Trustees, Healthcare District Executives and Staff at your District. At your convenience, please click here to complete the contact information form. Please e-mail your completed forms to Cellosea Chilton.
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Join CAPP Today!
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The Association of California Healthcare Districts (ACHD) is a member of
Californians Allied for Patient Protection (CAPP)
, the coalition created to protect access to health care through California's Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). ACHD continues to strongly support the preservation of MICRA.
In 2014, California voters definitively rejected Proposition 46, an attempt by the trial lawyers to quadruple MICRA's non-economic damages cap.
Had this ballot measure passed, California would have seen higher health care costs and decreased access to care, especially among vulnerable populations who are most in need. Despite this victory, the battle to protect MICRA continues and
ACHD is strongly urging its members to individually become supporters of the CAPP coalition.
There is no cost to be a member of CAPP, and you will be in good company. Seven out of 10 Board Members are already CAPP members, with more than 1,000 other organizations representing community clinics, hospitals, physicians, nurses, EMTs, labor unions, local governments, dentists and other health care providers. A complete coalition list can be found on the CAPP website at
www.micra.org
.
As a CAPP member, you will receive quarterly newsletters with updates on legislative activities concerning MICRA and direct access to the CAPP staff to be your one stop resource on MICRA. Additionally, CAPP holds events for legislators in their legislative district and CAPP members are invited to attend free of cost.
Please take a moment to complete and return the
CAPP Coalition Sign-Up Form
. Thank you for endorsing this important organization and its goal to preserve MICRA.
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Whole Person Care (WPC) Pilots: State to Open Second Round of Pilot Applications
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The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced in mid-October that it will accept a second round of applications for Whole Person Care (WPC) pilot projects. The second round of applications is due on March 1, 2017.
WPC pilots are part of the Medi-Cal 2020 Section 1115 demonstration waiver, approved in December 2015 by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The general requirements for the second round of applications will remain the same, but DHCS plans to update the second round of applications based upon lessons learned from the first round, which is expected to conclude in late October.
During the second application period, applicants may amend applications already approved in the first round to add new target populations and/or services and interventions. New applicants also may apply. Additional guidance will be provided prior to the release of the second round of applications.
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Filing and Ethics Requirements for Healthcare District Trustees and Executives
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Form 700: Statements of Economic Interests
Every elected official and public employee who makes or influences governmental decisions is required to submit a Statement of Economic Interest, also known as the Form 700. The Form 700 provides transparency and ensures accountability in two ways:
- It provides necessary information to the public about an official's personal financial interests to ensure that officials are making decisions in the best interest of the public and not enhancing their personal finances.
- It serves as a reminder to the public official of potential conflicts of interest so the official can abstain from making or participating in governmental decisions that are deemed conflicts of interest.
Filing a Form 700
The FPPC is available to answer any questions you may have on Form 700 reporting or filing. However, in order to better assist you, you should obtain your "disclosure category." A disclosure category is a description of the types of financial interests you must disclose on your Form 700 based on your job classification or position. Each agency defines its own disclosure categories for each position based on the type and scope of work performed.
To obtain a copy of your disclosure category, check with a supervisor or other designated staff in your agency's legal or personnel department.
Links to the Form 700 and Schedules
AB 1234 Ethics Training
Many public officials are required to take an ethics training course to educate them on the ethi
cal standards required of any individual who works in state or local government. Public officials may utilize free online courses available to satisfy this requirement. Please note that the state officials ethics course will not satisfy the local officials ethics course requirements and vice versa.
For Local Officials
The law also provides that if an entity develops criteria for the ethics training required by AB 1234, the Fair Political Practices Commission and the Attorney General must be consulted regarding any proposed course content.
Several training options are available to your agency, including training conducted by ACHD during our Leadership Academy, by commercial organizations, nonprofits, or an agency's own legal counsel. In addition, an online training program has been established that allows local officials to satisfy the requirements of AB 1234 on a cost-free basis. The course can be accessed here:
Local Officials Ethics Training Course
.
When the training is finished, you must print the Certification of Completion provided at the end of the course training.
The FPPC cannot advise on the legal requirements of AB 1234 because the FPPC does not have jurisdiction to do so.
For questions pertaining to legal interpretation and application of AB 1234, please consult your local agency counsel.
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ACHD will be out of the office December 23-January 3. The next ACHD Advocate will be published January 6, 2017.
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