Finance and Planning Committee recommends contract extensions, Medi-Cal admin agreement and community grants

At its Jan. 5 meeting the Health Commission received the Finance & Planning Committee's update on contracts and grant agreements under committee review, and the commission approved the related consent calendar items.

Commissioner Chao summarized the committee's review: an extension for the Walgreens partnership that supports the city's low-cost pharmacy access program (nearly 30 points of access) was recommended for an additional three years (bringing the term to eight years total); an increase of approximately $1.6 million over the remaining 6.5-year term for a Felton Institute contract to support recidivism-related services was described; and a retroactive Medi-Cal administrative activities contract (roughly $551,000 over three years) was presented with an added buffer to ensure administrative fees can be covered as draw amounts vary.

Commissioners also reviewed three new contracts funded by the sugary drink distribution tax to support community planning and outreach among Central American, Southeast Asian and Tenderloin populations; staff were asked to ensure those workplans in early phases include options to pivot toward direct services where needed and to provide an annual report back to the commission on program results.

The committee's recommendations were moved as part of the consent calendar and approved by roll-call vote.