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Health Commission unanimously adopts palliative care task force recommendations
Summary
The San Francisco Health Commission unanimously approved a resolution endorsing recommendations from a Palliative Care Task Force to expand access, measure quality across settings, and house ongoing oversight within the Long Term Care Coordinating Council.
The San Francisco Health Commission unanimously approved a resolution endorsing the Palliative Care Task Force’s recommendations to expand and better coordinate palliative care services across the city.
Anne Hinton, executive director of the Department of Aging and Adult Services and a task force co‑chair, told commissioners the group compiled an inventory of local palliative services and identified gaps. “We don’t have enough, but yes, we have enough that people need to know about it,” Hinton said, describing the inventory and short‑ and long‑term goals the task force developed on quality, systems, finance and community engagement.
Dr. Christine Ritchie of UCSF, a task force co‑chair, framed palliative care as “person and family centered care, focused on improving quality of life for those individuals with serious illness” and said it should be available at any age and provided alongside curative treatment. The task force recommended citywide quality measures, expanded community‑based capacity and an advisory board situated within the San Francisco Long Term Care Coordinating Council to drive implementation.
Director of Public Health Barbara Garcia said the department will consider the recommendations in future health service planning. “Palliative care has been a growing service in the city,” Garcia said, noting lessons from prior epidemics and the value of family and community supports in delivering care.
Commissioners pressed for specifics on measurement and accountability. Dr. Ritchie urged a mix of outcome and patient‑reported measures, recommending that the patient and family experience be a key quality indicator. The task force also cited state efforts — the presenters referenced SB 104 and AB 2139 as part of the broader policy context that encourages access and provider communication about palliative options for Medi‑Cal recipients.
After discussion about oversight, financing and data collection, the commission moved and seconded the resolution. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioners requested staff calendar a progress or follow‑up report no later than one year from now.
What happens next: staff will work with the Long Term Care Coordinating Council and the Department of Public Health to begin implementation planning and report back on measurable steps and data collection within the calendar period the commission specified.
