Supervisors urge state and federal pause on transfers from Laguna Honda after four post-transfer deaths

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution unanimously on July 26 urging state and federal health authorities to halt the planned relocation and transfer of patients from Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center until the hospital is recertified.

The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Melgar, asks Governor Gavin Newsom to proclaim a state of emergency for San Francisco County, urges California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to withdraw its approval of the hospital’s closure and transfer plan to the extent that it requires relocation of all patients within four months, and asks U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Javier Becerra to suspend a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirement on relocating patients. The board also amended the resolution to ask CMS to extend Medicare and Medi‑Cal payments through the date of a recertification determination. The amended resolution records that four people had died after transfers as of July 20, 2022.

Why it matters: Supervisors and advocates said the rapid transfers would place San Francisco’s most medically fragile and elderly patients at risk because there are few, if any, comparable long‑term care placements nearby and because some receiving facilities lack the capacity or special services Laguna Honda provides. Supervisor Melgar said the board had negotiated under pressure with state officials and that the four‑month transfer timeline was imposed by state reviewers. “We are being put in an impossible situation by the federal government,” Supervisor Melgar said during the meeting. "We need to stop the transfer of patients." Supervisor Ronan said the public should expect strong state and federal engagement: “Where is the leadership? The federal government is forcing our hand.”

What the resolution directs: The board asked the governor and CDPH to use emergency authority to pause transfers and review the plan, and it asked HHS/CMS to suspend the transfer requirement and continue payments until the hospital meets certification requirements. The board also updated the resolution to cite the four reported post‑transfer deaths and to request payment continuity until recertification is determined.

Vote and next steps: The board approved the resolution as amended by unanimous roll call (11–0). The resolution is a formal appeal to state and federal authorities; it does not itself change clinical operations at Laguna Honda. Supervisors and health advocates said they would continue to press CDPH and CMS, and to seek any available state or federal emergency action to slow or stop transfers while remediation and recertification proceed.

Context and background: Laguna Honda provides skilled nursing and long‑term rehabilitative care for patients with complex medical needs. The hospital entered into a federal/state review process after CMS identified deficiencies; CDPH approved a closure/transfer plan that set aggressive transfer timelines. Board members, hospital staff and advocacy groups described repeated outreach to state and federal officials and said the timeline imposed by regulators caused the board to act urgently.

Voices (selected): • Supervisor Myrna Melgar (member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors): “We are being put in an impossible situation by the federal government.” • Supervisor Hillary Ronan (member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors): “Where is the leadership? The federal government is forcing our hand.”

Proper names: Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center (facility), California Department of Public Health (agency), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Governor Gavin Newsom.

Authorities: CDPH approval of the Laguna Honda closure/transfer plan (regulatory action); CMS certification requirements (federal Medicaid/Medicare regulatory requirements).

Clarifying details: - Deaths cited in resolution: 4 reported post‑transfer deaths as of 07/20/2022 (as inserted in the adopted amendment). - Vote: 11 ayes, 0 no. - Resolution asks CMS to extend Medicare and Medi‑Cal payments until recertification determination (amendment adopted during the meeting).

Speakers (attribution whitelist):[{"name":"Supervisor Melgar","role_title":"Member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Supervisor Ronan","role_title":"Member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Supervisor Mandelmann","role_title":"Member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Doctor Teresa Palmer","role_title":"Former Laguna Honda clinician (commenter)","affiliation_type":"citizen"},{"name":"Lydia Ely","role_title":"Deputy Director, Mayor's Office of Housing (caller)","affiliation_type":"government"}],