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 From the Desk of Ken Cohen, Executive Director
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March has been another busy month for ACHD.
This month Sheila Johnston and I had the pleasure of visiting Plumas Healthcare District, Palomar Healthcare District (along with Howard Salmon, ACHD Board Chair), and West Side Healthcare District.
Dr. Kepple and his team provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing Plumas Healthcare District, including: conversations with a neighboring Healthcare District regarding management and collaboration. This was followed by a discussion of the role of LAFCO in consolidation and collaboration of Healthcare Districts as well as ballot initiatives and requirements. Dr. Kepple also provided an update on physician retention and improvements in services that have been implemented. Thank you to Dr. Kepple and his team for their hospitality and review of programs and for being our newest Member of ACHD!
Diane Hansen, Interim CEO of Palomar Health and Hugh King, Interim CFO, provided Sheila, Howard and I, with an overview of the many challenges facing their District. She also provided an update on the progress being made to sell or lease the vacant downtown hospital property. There was also a robust conversation regarding future capital needs related to meeting seismic requirements, within the changing financial landscape related to the Prime Program, as well as the potential impact of future changes to state and federal funding that are presently available under the current Waiver. The value of ACHD to Palomar Health and what additional services would be beneficial was also addressed. Thank you to both Diane and Hugh for your time and hospitality.
Jerry Starr, CEO of West Side Health Care District and Eric Cooper, Chair of the West Side Health Care District Board, provided Sheila and I with a comprehensive tour of their clinic facility; along with an update on the progress of their clinic expansion project. Of note, the West Side Health Care District Facility was recently approved as a federally qualified Rural Health Center which will result in additional financial resources towards operations and capital improvements. We also learned about the economic and demographic changes that have taken place over the past several years in the City of Taft and Kern County, and how these changes have impacted their ability to maintain services and retain physicians and staff.
West Side Health Care District became the 18th Certified Healthcare District and the District received their certification plaque and recognition at their public Board meeting on March 29th. Congratulations to the West Side Health Care District Board, administration and care team on achieving Certified Healthcare District status.
I also had the pleasure of meeting with Godfrey Wilson, CEO, Los Medanos Healthcare District and learning about the challenge facing their district with Contra Costa County and their LAFCO.
The Education Committee met via Webinar on March 7th to continue their examination of the Certified Healthcare District requirements and they are considering changes/updates that may be incorporated into the certified healthcare district process. The Committee will be working with the Board regarding certification enhancements that may include additional best practices and updated legal requirements. Any updates to the Certified Healthcare District program, along with the results of the Education Committee deliberations, will be announced at this year's Annual Meeting.
The Certified Health Care District application process will soon be available for download and submittal via the ACHD Website.
Just a reminder to
register for ACHD's Annual Leg Day which will occur April 16, 17th. Also note, that ACHD will be hosting a CEO networking session over lunch on the 17th. District CEO's, Executive Directors and Administrators are invited to attend a special networking lunch. The objective of this CEO luncheon is to provide an opportunity for Healthcare District CEO to meet and network, discuss issues of mutual interest and challenge; as well as identify other areas for mutual support.
Lastly, d
uring a recent ACHD Outreach Visit, District Executives expressed a desire to receive unfiltered news pertaining to Healthcare Districts in a more timely manner. Currently, ACHD shares positive Healthcare District news in our Monthly Update newsletter and on our website and social media more frequently. Therefore, ACHD will begin sharing news with other Member Healthcare District CEOs and Administrators in an email on a weekly basis.
Special Note
Amber King, Vice President, Government Affairs, will be on maternity leave through mid-July. In her absence please use the following contact information for the Advocacy Team:
For Association related questions, please contact Sheila Johnston, Vice President, Member Relations & Administration, at (916) 266-5208, or
[email protected]
.
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Trustee Spotlight: Eric Cooper, West Side Healthcare District
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In an effort to show our appreciation to Healthcare District Leaders, ACHD will begin highlighting the invaluable contributions of Trustees in their community. We recognize that the work and passion of our Trustees often go unrecognized and it is our goal is to share the positive impacts Trustees make in their communities.
What inspired you to run for a seat on the West Side Health Care District Board?
I was asked to join the Board in the year 2000 to fill an open seat vacated by a Trustee that resigned and moved out of the District. I was inspired to serve and become active in the community after returning home from San Diego to help expand my family business. Although I had no background or experience in health care, the idea of serving appealed to me because the Board was fairly unknown and I could offer my time and service with minimal commitment. Little did I know, that would be the farthest thing from from the truth. Three years prior to my appointment, the West Side Health Care District sold it's struggling hospital to Dignity Health (formerly, Catholic Healthcare West). They agreed to own and operate the facility for 4 years with a plan that appeared beneficial for all. My first year on the board coincided with the 4th and final year of
that
commitment. The writing was on the wall as Dignity meticulously informed the community that small rural hospitals were dying and in fact, the hospital they purchased from us and promised to run was the most unprofitable of all and would soon be closed. Suddenly, I found myself
entering
one of the most challenging and frustrating experiences of my life as I served on a board from a small under-served community that was about to wage a battle with a large, well funded health care behemoth that would decide the fate of our 65 year old hospital.
What is one accomplishment that the Board has implemented that you are most proud of?
After years in the making and serving on the board for 18 years, I am most proud of our brand new, state of the art outpatient medical facility that will break ground in mid-2018. Following the re-purchase of our property from Dignity Health we demolished our outdated hospital and our new Clinic signals the first phase of our long term plan to develop a 10 acre medical campus on land owned and operated by the district. Future plans include facilities and services geared toward serving the health and wellness needs of our under-served community.
What is your District best known for?
The West Side Health Care District is best known for it's long history of serving the residents of Taft and outlying areas of of our District. As one of the oldest and continuously run districts in California, we are proud of the accomplishments of both our Board Members and medical professionals through the years. Today and in the future, we look forward to further position our organization
to be
the nucleus of the health care providers and service groups in our community, helping to strengthen services and better serve the residents.
If money were no object, what services would you want your District to implement?
If money were no obstacle, I would fill our 10-acre campus with modern facilities, staff and well-run services that would not only service the health care needs of our District, but would meet the growing needs of patients from all over the central valley. Our 10-acre medical campus in Taft can become a premier destination for health care from the beginning of life to the end. Our District is so under-served in facilities, health professions and access to specialty health care the citizens of our District will welcome anything we have the financial resources to offer and support!
What advice would you give someone considering election or appointment to a Healthcare District?
Serving on a Healthcare District Board can be one of the most rewarding and challenging of all public service positions. Health care is
a
difficult, confusing and costly
industry
.
A Healthcare District Board Member should e
nter
into the position ready to check
their
personal agendas aside
. They should
be prepared to make a positive contribution and know that anything worth working for takes time, patience and dedication. Being a Board Member is often times thankless and frustrating, but at the end of the day, there is nothing more satisfying than being a part of an organization that helps equip, support and enable health care professionals with the tools and funds they need to save lives and make a difference.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to travel and vacation with friends and family. Especially with my wife Kathy, who is a 3rd grade teacher and my son Rex, who is a 7th grader. I am blessed with a successful, family owned business that affords me the opportunity to serve on the West Side Health Care Board and to call Taft, California my home!
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Legislative Day is Around the Corner!
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It's just around the corner... join us for our 2018 Legislative Day, April 16-17 in Sacramento!
Legislative Day is a great opportunity for our attendees to learn about the issues impacting Healthcare Districts, collaborate with colleagues to create legislative solutions, and make their voices heard in the Capitol. But don't take our word for it--
click on the video below to hear from our 2017 attendees!
Did you miss our Legislative Day preview webinar? Access the recording here and the slides here.
Contact
Annie Hohn with any questions. We look forward to seeing you soon!
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| Legislative Update |
AB 2019 (Aguiar-Curry)
AB 2019 was recently amended to include a number of items relating to Healthcare Districts:
- Requires that any HCD that uses design-build for housing must set aside 20% of the housing for low, very low, and extremely low income individuals, unless the city or county has an ordinance with a higher threshold.
-
Amends the website requirements approved last year in AB 1728 to change the "may" to a "shall" and require all the items listed (adopted budget, list of board members, Brown Act notices, Municipal Service Review or LAFCO special study, list of grant recipients, audits, annual financial reports, and grants policy). Some of the items may now be posted via a link to another government website (like the SCO or LAFCO).
-
Many new changes to the grants policy piece, including: additional information about the process for awarding grants, the district's plan for issuing grants, how applications are reviewed, and a prohibition between grant recipients meeting with individual board members or staff outside the publicly provided process.
- Starting January 2020, grants policies must include: guidelines for awarding grants to underserved communities or organizations that serve underserved populations, guidelines for awarding grants to multiple recipients so as to avoid 50% or more of grant funding to a single recipient, evaluating the financial needs of recipients, considering whether organizations that do not provide direct patient care are eligible for funding and under what criteria, funding limitations for prior grant recipients, considering sponsorship of charitable events, funding other government agencies, awarding grants to and limiting funds for foundations that are sponsored and controlled by, or are associated with, a grant recipient.
- Notification of a bankruptcy filing to LAFCO within 10 days of the filing.
While we are aware these amendments are concerning, the Advocacy team has not yet taken a position on AB 2019. We will be discussing the bill at the next Advocacy Committee meeting and continue to communicate with Aguiar-Curry's staff on this matter. Once a position is determined, ACHD staff will issue a Legislative Alert. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our contract lobbyist,
Jean Hurst of Hurst Brooks Espinosa.
Other News
The ACHD Advocacy Team continues to review, and take active positions on, legislation that may impact Healthcare Districts this year. You can view our current Legislative Reports
here
. With Spring Recess concluding at the beginning of April, many bills are continuing to be set for hearing in policy committees this month. You can view committee hearings and floor sessions on
CalChannel
.
On March 21st, Toni Atkins made history as she was sworn in
as the first female and first LGBT President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Read the press release
here
.
Our 2018 Legislative Day, Beyond the Conversation: Taking Action, is right around the corner-if you haven't yet registered, it's not too late! Legislative Day is a great opportunity for Healthcare District trustees and staff to learn effective advocacy and network with colleagues.
Click here for registration information, event schedule, and session descriptions.
*Reminder: Amber King, Vice President, Government Affairs, will be on maternity leave through July. In her absence please contact
Annie Hohn
, Administrative Associate, Advocacy or
Sheila Johnston
, Vice President, Member Relations & Administration.
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| ACHD Webinar Education Series |
ACHD hosted their monthly webinar series, Best Practices in Grant Policies, featuring Barbara Avery, Director of Community Benefit, and Sharon Johal, Senior Community Benefits Specialist for the Community Benefit Program at El Camino Hospital. El Camino Hospital has had a robust grant program in place and their policies can be adapted to other Healthcare Districts that also have a grant program.
If you missed this webinar and would like to access a recording, please click here. To access a template Grant Policy and view examples of other Healthcare District policies, click here.
ACHD will host the next installment of our Webinar Education Series on April 26, 2018, at 10:00 am focusing on Elder Abuse Awareness. To learn more about this event, click here.
To find out more information about our Webinar Education series,
click here.
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| In Case You Missed It... Healthcare District News from Around the State |
   
Eden Health District, Castro Valley Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, Eden Area Regional Occupational Program (EdenROP) and Castro Valley High School, have joined forces to provide work-based learning Internships for local high school students. As a result, there is a very sharp high school student working the halls of Baywood Court Retirement Center this semester.
Click here to read more.
Here we go, we've done it again. Just when you think life is back to its normal everyday gripe and groan, here comes the true meaning of being a Big Bear resident. Click here to read the full article.
John C. Fremont Healthcare District is pleased to announce a new service now available in Mariposa at John C. Fremont Hospital - bone density screening. Click here to read more.
Dr. Adam Fierer said that it took him a few years to get used to the idea that a robot could perform a surgery better than he ever could.
Click here
to read the full article.
Kaweah Delta Health Care District officials got some welcome news.
The state could allow the hospital to retain their 1969-built Mineral King wing beyond 2030 for acute inpatient care. It will require structural seismic testing to the tune of $1.3 million. But, if that test comes back in their favor, it will be well worth it, CEO Gary Herbst said. Click here to read the full article.
From the delicate tea cups to tiered plates of finger foods, you'd never know you were in a hospital the afternoon of March 19. But a room full of donors sampled the variety of teas while they were honored for their contributions to the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District Foundation. Click here to read the full article.
The Petaluma Health Care District (PHCD) is playing a critical role in helping those impacted by the fires self-heal by serving as a catalyst for collective community action. Click here to read full article.
In 1948, the Desert Healthcare District was created by the state of California. Health-care districts were intended as a "response to a shortage of acute care hospitals as well as minimal access to health care in rural parts of the state," according to the DHCD website. Click here to read full article.
Preventing dental disease in children across the Morongo Basin is the goal of the Morongo Basin Healthcare District's new dental program. Click here to read the full article.
The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) will award $90,000 in scholarships to 40 high school seniors who have expressed interest in a career as a healthcare professional. Click here to read more.
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| Wellness Summit Now Open for Registration! |
ACHD is excited to announce that our Wellness Summit will be held on July 26th in Sacramento! This year's Wellness Summit will feature leaders in public health who will present on topics ranging from mental health prevention, employee burnout and community health models to increase public health. To learn more about our Wellness Summit and to register for this one-day event, click here.
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| Coming Soon: ACHD's 66th Annual Meeting |
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The Association's Education Committee has planned the 66th Annual Meeting with a focus on preparing Healthcare Districts for the challenges ahead and the role of District's in the face of change. Our program is designed to inspire innovation and motivate Districts to prepare for the future.
Whether you're in your early years as a District Trustee or a seasoned Executive looking to grow, you'll discover the right insight to support your District's success in Pismo Beach.
Join us for what will be our best educational event ever!
Our Annual Meeting will take place September 12 - 14, 2018, at the Cliffs Resort in Pismo Beach.
Please contact
Sheila Johnston
with any questions or concerns. We hope to see you there!
Stay tuned for registration information!
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| Call for Nominations: Healthcare District and Trustee of the Year! |
ACHD is pleased to announce that we are now accepting nominations for Healthcare District of the Year and the Trustee of the Year awards! These prestigious awards seek to recognize a Healthcare District for innovation implemented to improve the health of the communities served and Trustees that have made notable impacts in the District through significant achievements in governance, strategic planning and partnership, stakeholder relationships, leadership or finance.
Nominations will be accepted through
June 30, 2018.
To nominate your District for Healthcare District of the Year,
click here.
To nominate a Trustee for the Trustee of the Year award,
click here.
Awards will be presented during the ACHD Annual Meeting taking place September 12-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Pismo Beach. And congratulations to last year's District of the Year award winner,
Mayers Memorial Hospital District!
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Become a Certified Healthcare District, Today
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The Association of California Healthcare Districts (ACHD) is leading the way for Healthcare Districts to play a major role in the transformation of California's evolving health care landscape by helping them meet the changing needs of their local communities.
As public entities and as leaders in health, Healthcare Districts have well defined responsibilities for serving the public, adapting to their health care needs and conducting business in a manner that is open and transparent - a role that only Healthcare Districts can fill.
To assist ACHD Members in demonstrating their commitment to exemplary compliance in meeting the health and governance needs of the public, ACHD has developed a core set of standards, referred to as Best Practices in Governance. Healthcare Districts that show their voluntary compliance with these practices are eligible to be designated by ACHD as a Certified Healthcare District. To learn more about this program,
click here.
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| Free Board Leadership Resources |
James A. Rice, Ph.D., FACHE, Managing Director & Senior Advisor, Governance and Leadership for Integrated Healthcare Strategies, is a seasoned expert in Board Governance and Leadership Strategies for Healthcare Districts in California and Boards across the country. Dr. Rice has also presented for ACHD in our Webinar Education Series and at Leadership Academy. We are very pleased Dr. Rice has provided us with three comprehensive resources for Healthcare District Boards and Executive teams to continue to improve their governing effectiveness. We encourage you to utilize these resources in your District.
Encouraging a Culture of Innovation
"Encouraging a Culture of Innovation" is designed to help Boards learn how to adapt to the ever-changing health care environment, analyze trends in health care, and explore new and creative ideas for addressing challenges.
Click here to view this resource.
Governance Authority Matrix Preview
As health systems move into population health management they are forming larger, more integrated, and more complex care systems. "Governance Authority Matrix Preview" is designed to help Boards and Executive teams define and understand their relative responsibilities.
Click here to view this resource.
Practices for High-Performing Health System Boards
"Practices for High-Performing Health System Boards" discusses sensible behaviors needed among the members of health sector boards in US hospitals and health systems. These is designed to encourage leaders to master and apply behaviors that facilitate successful leadership.
Click here to view this resource.
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| Apply to Serve on the ACHD Board, Today! |
The ACHD Board of Directors is presently seeking nominations from Member Healthcare Districts from an individual Trustee or CEO to immediately fill several vacant Director positions on the Board.
An individual Member may apply to serve as a Director on the ACHD Board by submitting a nomination of that person to the Governance Committee together with the candidate's resume or
statement of qualifications
. The Governance Committee shall recommend its choices for candidates to serve on the Board to the full Board.
A candidate who is selected by the Governance Committee shall be eligible for appointment as a Director and refer their recommendations to the Board. The Board will appoint Director(s) to fill Director positions by a majority vote of the the Board.
Please note however, that no Member may be represented on the Board by more than one (1) voting Director at the same time.
Individual Directors serve three (3) year terms and their appointment becomes effective upon approval by the Board.
If you are interested in being considered as a Director on the ACHD Board, please submit your resume and/or statement of qualifications to
[email protected].
Click here
to access the Statement of Qualifications.
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| Become a Member of CAPP Today |
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.
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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2018 Calendar of Events is on ACHD.org
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ACHD is pleased to announce that our events for
2018 is now loaded on our website!  Our calendar features committee and Board meetings, and all educational events for the entire year. To access our calendar,
click here
and once you find an event, simply click on the event title to save the event into your calendar.
For more information, contact Sheila Johnston.
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About ACHD:
The Association of California Healthcare Districts (ACHD) represents Healthcare Districts throughout the state. The Association serves the diverse needs of California's Healthcare Districts by enhancing public awareness, training and educating its members and advocating for legislation and regulatory policies that allow Healthcare Districts to deliver the best possible health services to Californians. Learn more at achd.org.
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