June 2018

ACHD members are leading a transformation of our association to meet the unique needs of Health Care Districts in today's challenging health care environment.

Our "Membership Drives Change" newsletter highlights the services and support ACHD offers that empower Districts to drive change in their communities.
 

Member Engagement Matters
  • The ACHD Education Committee met and recommended approval of the enhanced requirements for the Certification Program. The Board of Directors subsequently approved the Enhanced Requirements which the Education Committee will  present during the 66th Annual Meeting. Updates include transitioning to an electronic based platform, a Certified District library containing prior submissions from Certified Districts, and an option for Districts to access sample policies to aid in their own Certification Program. If you would like more information on our Certified Healthcare District program, please contact Sheila Johnston.
We would personally like to thank all of our ACHD Committee Members and Board of Directors who have made our Certification Program a priority for ACHD and for our Healthcare Districts.
  • The Board of Directors met to enact the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19. They also approved ACHD's new Vision Statement, which reads:
"To be the leading advocate for the shared interest of California Healthcare Districts through its work with statewide government and through its education and support of its membership."
  • ACHD recognized the contributions of Katie Kane, Trustee of Sequoia Healthcare District. Katie has worked diligently to improve the services provided by Sequoia Healthcare District. In our latest spotlight, Trustee Kane provides reflections on her tenure and advice to others that are interested in serving on a Healthcare District Board. We also appreciate Katie's work as Chair of the ACHD Board of Directors. Katie was instrumental in transforming ACHD into the organization that serves you, today. To read our full spotlight on Trustee Kane from Sequoia Healthcare District, click here.
  • Chair Howard Salmon, Ken Cohen, CEO and Sheila Johnston, VP Member Relations, attended a course on The Board and Executive Relationship. The course was hosted by CalSAE and presented by Jeffrey Wilcox, CEO, Third Sector Company. The course presented an opportunity for ACHD to learn how to better develop strategic partnerships among our Board and CEO to advance the Association.


Webinar Education Series
Our June Webinar series was a huge success! This month, Jean Hurst and Kelly Brooks, of Hurst Brooks Espinosa presented on the California State Budget and legislative measures of utmost importance to the Healthcare Districts. If you missed this webinar and would like to access a recording, please click here.

 
ACHD will host the next installment of our Webinar Education Series on July 19, 2018, at 1:30 pm and will focus on an Overview of Clinics: Reimbursement, Funding and Management. Clinics play an important role in the health of communities and create access to care in non-hospital settings. Depending on location, clinics can be the only source of care.
 
In order to help Districts, assess the efficiency of clinics and gain a greater understanding of starting clinics, ACHD has invited Steven Rousso, Partner with Wipfli CPAs and Consultants and Clinic Expert, to present on the following topics as they relate to managing clinics in California:
  • Define the various types of clinics Districts can operate and the benefits of each type of clinics
  • Highlight differences between FQHCs and RHCS
  • Explain the co-applicant model for districts to develop FQHCs
  • Highlight regulatory changes that will affect Clinics in the coming year;
  • Provide resources for starting Clinics within your District's boundaries.
Our webinar will be a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of the Clinic Environment in California.
 
To register for the event, click here.
 
Wellness Summit
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.

For more information about the Wellness Summit, please contact Sheila Johnston .

Advocacy in  Action
The ACHD Advocacy Team continues to engage with legislation that may impact Healthcare Districts this year. Some legislative deadlines to note include a June 29 deadline to pass all fiscal bills to the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committee, and all non-fiscal measures must pass out of policy committee by July 6 prior to the legislative summer recess. You can view our current Legislative Reports here . Additionally, you can view committee hearings and floor sessions on CalChannel .

SB 538
ACHD continues to focus on   SB 538 (Monning) which addresses hospital contracting, including prohibitions on specific provisions in contracts which would impact Healthcare Districts. While the measure was amended to no longer apply to small and rural hospitals that are not affiliated with a non-governmental hospital, ACHD continues to oppose the bill as it moves through the Assembly.

AB 2019
ACHD remains focused on AB 2019 (Aguiar-Curry) , which includes a number of items relating to Healthcare Districts. The measure was approved by the Senate Governance & Finance Committee on a 5-1 vote on June 20 and will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee. ACHD continues to work closely with the author's office on a final amendment, that, when amended into the bill, will represent the last component of our negotiations.

2018-19 Budget
The California State Budget was signed on June 27. The budget includes investments in education, homelessness and deep poverty. The budget also includes overall reserves in the amount of $15.9 billion, $13.8 billion of which includes a fully funded Rainy Day Fund.

The final budget package does not include the Governor's proposal to eliminate the use of 340B drug rebates in the Medi-Cal program. The Budget Conference Committee voted to set aside $1.02 billion in Proposition 56 revenues and will develop an expenditure plan to include in a budget trailer bill before the month's end.

The Legislature adjourns its two-year session on August 31, at which time the Governor will have until September 30 to sign or veto these bills.

ACHD continues to advocate on bills as they approach their committee and floor deadlines and will keep a close eye out for last-minute legislative changes that impact healthcare districts.


  *Please note: Amber King, Vice President, Government Affairs, will be on maternity leave through July. In her absence please contact  Sheila Johnston , Vice President, Member Relations & Administration.
The Association of California Healthcare Districts (ACHD) represents Healthcare Districts throughout the state's urban, suburban and rural areas. California is home to 79 Healthcare Districts that play a profound role in responding to the specialized health needs of local communities by providing access to essential health services to tens of millions of Californians while also having direct accountability to the communities that Districts serve. In many areas, Healthcare Districts are the sole source of health, medical and well-being services in their communities. 
Learn more at  www.achd.org .
www.achd.org