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Health commission approves DPH's 2020 state and federal legislative platforms
Summary
The commission adopted the Department of Public Health's 2020 state and federal legislative platforms after presentations by Sneha Patel and Max Guerra; priorities include behavioral health, Medi-Cal eligibility expansions, HIV prevention and long-term care funding.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) Health Commission voted to approve the department's 2020 state and federal legislative platforms after presentations from Sneha Patel, director of the Office of Policy and Planning, and health planner Max Guerra.
Patel said the department tracked about 100 bills in 2019, took official positions on 22 (six of which became law and two were vetoed) and will continue to monitor and weigh in on proposals that affect DPH's mission. She outlined key state priorities including behavioral-health measures (substance-use treatment and overdose prevention), conservatorship follow-up legislation to earlier housing/conservatorship law, proposals affecting EMS transport destinations, and maternal-child health equity measures.
Patel also noted the state reinstated an individual insurance mandate and expanded Medi-Cal and Covered California premium support; Director Colfax had earlier highlighted a state action expanding Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented young adults (the presentation referenced "up to age 26" and cited budget language for ages 19—through 25). Gustav Guerra described federal issues the department is monitoring, including litigation and rulemaking around Affordable Care Act protections, public-charge rules affecting immigrant access to benefits, Title X family planning changes (which prompted DPH withdrawal from a federal grant), and proposed changes to patient privacy rules.
Commissioners asked for clarifications and offered feedback, including adding hepatitis B funding language and emphasizing emergency preparedness for vulnerable populations. After discussion, a commissioner moved and the panel voted by voice to adopt the resolution approving the state and federal platforms.
The commission did not amend the platforms at the meeting; staff said the plans will go next to the mayor's office for incorporation into a citywide legislative agenda and that DPH will continue to report back on bills and budget proposals as they develop.
