Health Commission implements new policies at Laguna Honda Hospital to enhance transparency

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on addressing recent findings from an audit concerning the operations of the Laguna Honda Hospital. The meeting began with a discussion led by Supervisor Campos, who emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the wake of the audit's findings.

Sonia Melara, Vice President of the Health Commission and Chair of the Joint Conference Committee for Laguna Honda Hospital, reported on the remedial steps already taken. She highlighted that on March 1, the commission approved new policies and procedures aimed at preventing future issues. Key measures include the removal of staff accounts from the patient gift fund to enhance transparency and the establishment of a requirement for regular reporting to the commission.

The discussion also touched on the involvement of the Health Commission in financial oversight. A proposal was made to implement a ratification mechanism for expenditures, allowing the commission to review and approve financial decisions on a quarterly basis. This approach aims to ensure that the commission maintains oversight without needing to approve every individual expense.

Greg Sass, the Chief Financial Officer for the Health Department, was invited to provide further insights into the financial practices at the hospital. He affirmed the commitment to improving oversight and preventing inappropriate financial practices, such as using funds from the patient gift account to cover capital deficits.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of the new policies and the ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of Laguna Honda Hospital. The Health Commission plans to continue monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates on the implementation of these measures in future meetings.