Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs extensions for DPH behavioral‑health contracts; providers urge public process over cuts
Summary
The subcommittee approved forwarding a resolution to extend Department of Public Health professional service contracts through Dec. 31, 2010, to maintain services while DPH prepares a large RFP; nonprofit advocates warned the RFP could cut $7 million annually and urged public hearings before large service reductions.
The Budget & Finance subcommittee voted to forward a resolution approving 18‑month extensions for multiple Department of Public Health (DPH) professional service contracts to preserve health and behavioral health services while DPH prepares a larger request for proposals (RFP) this summer.
Anne Okubo of DPH said the modification will extend contracts through Dec. 31, 2010, to allow continuity of services and cash flow to contractors until the department can complete a competitive rebid. Okubo said DPH plans to issue a large RFP that will rebid most of these services and that the extension is intended to ensure contractors can continue service delivery during the procurement process.
Debbie Lerman of the San Francisco Human Services Network urged approval of the extensions and warned that part of DPH's budget balancing proposal includes a $7 million cut through the RFP that would annualize to $14 million in cuts; she urged public hearings because such reductions would eliminate community‑based services without the typical public process.
The committee forwarded the item to the full Board with recommendation.
Next steps: DPH will proceed with the RFP planning and the full Board will consider the extension; advocates requested public hearings on the RFP's budget impacts.
